Rumor: Big things happening

[tarheelhockey]

I just don't get why Buffalo would trade him unless they're really trying to completely blow it up. I don't know enough about their pipe, but it seems to me they'd be ripping open a giant hole down the middle to plug some on the blueline. Eichel and ROR as a 1 and 2 is exactly what is required to have a perennial playoff contender.

The fans are now officially getting impatient. That's why we hear the rumors, and if it were to somehow come true that would also be the reason why it happened.

 

[MinJaBen]

The fans are now officially getting impatient. That's why we hear the rumors, and if it were to somehow come true that would also be the reason why it happened.

That and everyone up there has Mittelstadt fever after his WJC performance. He and Jack may make ROR expendable, but I doubt that time is now.

 

[RodTheBawd]

That and everyone up there has Mittelstadt fever after his WJC performance. He and Jack may make ROR expendable, but I doubt that time is now.

Ahh, forgot about Mittelstadt. Given that their time isn't now, I guess that might make a bit more sense. I still can't see it happening, but I shouldn't underestimate Buffalo's FO incompetence.

 

[Bub]

Eh, they could just be dangling him to see what kind of offers they get, without really wanting to move him. Which does seem like an odd thing to do to a core piece: "We really want you here. Until someone offers us the kitchen sink for you."

Then again, the Sabres front office could be idiots. There's always that.

 

[DaveG]

Eh, they could just be dangling him to see what kind of offers they get, without really wanting to move him. Which does seem like an odd thing to do to a core piece: "We really want you here. Until someone offers us the kitchen sink for you."

Then again, the Sabres front office could be idiots. There's always that.

Part of the issue with the Sabres is that their problem is the exact opposite of our problem. The top end talent is there, it's the depth that sucks and MAN does it ever suck. They may be looking to see if they can cash out with him and maximize value as adding 2-3 other NHL caliber pieces that are close to the show and building around something like Eichel-Mittlestadt-Rask (interjecting us as the partner for the sake of doing so) and adding a young quality dman (say Fleury) and winger prospect is easier then building around Eichel-O'Reilly-Mittlestadt and subtracting what would be a top 4 dman there and a winger that would probably slot in the middle 6 as soon as next year (think a guy like Saarela or Zykov) and a pick long-term.

 

[The Faulker 27]

How big of an upgrade would ROR be? That's an honest question as I don't know much about him. Obviously, his stat sheet is better than any of our current centers so I get that, but he's making 7.5 mil/season and looks to be an average 55-60 pt player with some history of injuries.

 

[RodTheBawd]

How big of an upgrade would ROR be? That's an honest question as I don't know much about him. Obviously, his stat sheet is better than any of our current centers so I get that, but he's making 7.5 mil/season and looks to be an average 55-60 pt player with some history of injuries.

He'd step in immediately as our #1C. A slightly more offensive, slightly worse defensive Jordan Staal (probably not the best comp, as the similarities are similar (5v5) production and two-way play). Significant upgrade over Rask. For me, he feels a bit more of the same, but if he could be had for something like Dave mentioned (Rask + Fleury + pick or B prospect), I'd do it in a heartbeat.

 

[bleedgreen]

He’s the closest thing we have in today’s game to Brindy. That’s a good thing to add at any point, so I’m very for it but it has its drawbacks as an acquisition. He isn’t a dynamic offensive player. He’s more of a grinder with good offensive instincts so he wouldn’t be the offensive savior people have wanted, though he definitely would solidify the center position and that in itself would likely create more goals.

He also is a bit of an ugly skater. He’s quicker than Rask and Staal but not by very much. If you’re someone who thinks we need to be quicker in the middle you won’t be blown away by RoR.

 

[DaveG]

The thing with ROR is that he's not just an upgrade on the offensive zone side but on the defensive zone side and in the physicality department as well. Jordan's better defensively then he is, but it's not by a ton, and Ryan's about the same difference better in both offense and physicality. To me he'd be the ideal guy to get if we're not able to get a true high end center (which I think we may have drafted in Necas last year anyway). Trying to score on a team that and run lines like this at you:

McGinn - O'Reilly - Williams
Aho - J Staal - Teravainen
Skinner - Ryan - Stempniak
Nordy - Krueger - Jooris/PDG/McLovin

would be a nightmare. That's 2 lines at the top of the lineup that can shut you down and score on you, and a 4th line that's a black hole because it's where all offense (ours and theirs) goes to die. You'd have to hope to do your damage against the Skinner line and that's just as dangerous since Jeff can burn you just as easily as you can burn them.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

You forgot Lindholm.

EDIT: and since we seem to be having "roster" move discussions in about 4 different threads, should we make a thread dedicated to Roster discussions both this season and next?

 

[MinJaBen]

To add to the improbably hilarity....

2018-2019 Canes
Aho - Tavares - Teravainen
Skinner- O'Reilly - Williams
McGinn- J Staal - Lindholm
Nordy - Krueger - McLovin

 

[JCLA]

You forgot Lindholm.

EDIT: and since we seem to be having "roster" move discussions in about 4 different threads, should we make a thread dedicated to Roster discussions both this season and next?

I'm surprised there isn't one already

 

[BrindAmours Army]

To add to the improbably hilarity....

2018-2019 Canes
Aho - Tavares - Teravainen
Skinner- O'Reilly - Williams
McGinn- J Staal - Lindholm
Nordy - Krueger - McLovin

make it happen RF

 

[AD Skinner]

That ATT line would reach out and touch someone

 

[DaveG]

You forgot Lindholm.

EDIT: and since we seem to be having "roster" move discussions in about 4 different threads, should we make a thread dedicated to Roster discussions both this season and next?

DOH! So more like:

Skinner - O'Reilly - Lindholm
Aho - Staal - Teravainen
Stempniak - Ryan - Williams
Nordy - Krueger - McGinn

 

[MinJaBen]

That ATT line would reach out and torch someone

FTFY

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

To add to the improbably hilarity....

2018-2019 Canes
Aho - Tavares - Teravainen
Skinner- O'Reilly - Williams
McGinn- J Staal - Lindholm
Nordy - Krueger - McLovin

Since we are dreaming, maybe a high scoring winger would be better instead of ROR

JVR/Pacioretty/Neal/Kane/Bailey - Tavares - Williams
Aho-Staal-TT
Skinner-Necas-Lindholm
McGinn-Kruger-McLovin

 

[Lempo]

That ATT line would reach out and touch someone

Like your own personal McJesus.

 

[Big Daddy Cane]

I'm starting to warm up to the idea of Hoffman, assuming he would be attainable at a Bean+/Fleury+ type of price. Loading up at LW is not ideal, but it may be a better strategy than trying to force a trade for a pivot in a rather barren center market. Lindholm can be a more productive player than he’s been this year; this was a guy that looked like he was breaking out in the 2nd half of last season. He displayed some high level passing ability last year, but has struggled to be that playmaker at EV away from Aho. The only other true goal scorer on the roster is Skinner and his one man show-type of offense makes it difficult for Lindholm to get the puck to create. Get him a trigger man and maybe that’s the basis for that line in the same way Aho+Teravinen and Skinner+Stempniak drive the other scoring lines. Galchenyuk would be another option, if Montreal makes him available.

 

[The Faulker 27]

To add to the improbably hilarity....

2018-2019 Canes
Aho - Tavares - Teravainen
Skinner- O'Reilly - Williams
McGinn- J Staal - Lindholm
Nordy - Krueger - McLovin

Screw the Stanley Cup, this team could take over the world.

Aho and Tav's on the same line makes me feel feelings I'm not comfortable with.

 

[Svechhammer]

Screw the Stanley Cup, this team could take over the world.

Aho and Tav's on the same line makes me feel feelings I'm not comfortable with.

But seriously, the Isles cannot let him get to FA. The offer that Dundon would force Francis to put out would be one of those too good to pass up kinda deals. They let this get to that point and he's a Cane next year. I feel very confident we are going to go out and buy the first legit 1C that we can to make a Dundon splash and the Isles don't want that to be JT.

 

[NotOpie]

I would love ROR here. He's a better offensive version of Jordan Staal. I've posted this before, let Jordan continue to take the hard match-ups, free up ROR to be a bit more offensive, and shelter our 3C (Necas? or Rask?). It also limits other teams from getting favorable match-ups on the road because ROR and Staal can both take tough matchups. He'll help on the PP as well. I'd prefer Tavares, but still think that is a pipedream.

Then go after a winger in UFA a la, JVR, Kane, Neal, Bailey, etc... Probably too much to ask for in one offseason, but would be a strong top 9. Getting ROR or one of those UFAs would be a big improvement.

If we assume (maybe incorrectly) that Necas is on the team next year, do you think they start him at center? or do like Aho and start him on the wing to ease him into it?

I think Necas actually starts out in the AHL next season or he plays RW. I don't think Stempniak is here next season. ROR is a 10 to 15 point upgrade on Rask (who I would envision being part of a package for ROR). If that is the case, then perhaps Necas slots in on that line. As I've warmed up to Ryan as our 3C, a 3rd line of Skinner/Ryan/Necas would be a tough match up for other traditional 3rd lines.

 

[The Faulker 27]

I think Necas actually starts out in the AHL next season or he plays RW. I don't think Stempniak is here next season. ROR is a 10 to 15 point upgrade on Rask (who I would envision being part of a package for ROR). If that is the case, then perhaps Necas slots in on that line. As I've warmed up to Ryan as our 3C, a 3rd line of Skinner/Ryan/Necas would be a tough match up for other traditional 3rd lines.

Soft as Charmin Ultra. Poor Necas, he'll be left on his own out there, after Skinner falls, and Ryan gets leveled. I hope he has that Aho strength.

 

[Joe McGrath]

If Necas comes over, he’s playing center, whether it be in the NHL or AHL. It doesn’t seem like Francis or Peters are going to dick around with guys positions if they aren’t a freak (like Aho).

I think they are more likely to replace Stempniak with a less talented, larger, individual with the expectation he plays with Skinner and Necas.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I'm starting to warm up to the idea of Hoffman, assuming he would be attainable at a Bean+/Fleury+ type of price. Loading up at LW is not ideal, but it may be a better strategy than trying to force a trade for a pivot in a rather barren center market.

I don't see any point in acquiring an LW, just a waste of assets which would end up reducing all 3 wingers' ice time.

Unless Skinner is going the other way, in which case we have a big trade on our hands...