Petes2424
Registered User
- Aug 4, 2005
- 8,077
- 2,371
They need someone who can carry that 2nd pairing 20+ minutes (a night) in the playoffs, or there’s a good chance they’re not winning more than maybe a round. It’s the most important weakness they have.
It’s a huge difference having 2 dmen who can drive that ship. All great teams have at least 2. It’s the difference between 25 minutes a night, and 45-50 minutes a night, carrying play, in a 7 game series.
Tocchet isn’t stupid. He knows he needs 2, because teams will forecheck the heck out of Quinn in the playoffs, and they will wear him down IF there’s nobody else who can carry the play. We’re too deep into the season now, if they believed Hronek was that guy, not to have been playing him in that role. To be fair, it’s why Detroit got rid of him as well, so it looks like that’s not in the cards.
So if Chychrun is available, he should be their main target. It would be the move that could put them over the top. They’d be way harder to matchup against come a 7 game series.
Make the big move.
If they can’t get him, or someone who can play that role, they’ll need another role player who’s tough to play against. That will help their D NOT getting worn down as quickly. Obviously Tanev fits that role, but there’s several others who can play that role as well.
The second thing they need, is a forward who can give them some tough minutes in the playoffs. Someone who can win battles, is hard to play against, and can play in their Top 6 if needed. Teams don’t like trading those types though. Greenway from Buffalo maybe?
If they can’t get that type of guy, try getting at least someone who will win battles and give them some hard minutes. Fischer or Kostin from Detroit would fit that bill. Not sure they’re available, but if Detroit ends up selling Fischer or Kostin could be a solid add for their bottom 6. Either gives them someone to win those battles, and they’re hard players to play against.
Chychrun should be their big target though, and it sounds like Ottawa is willing to deal him. It would be huge because teams can’t just zero in on wearing Hughes down, and it would keep Hronek with Hughes. Their blue line would be very hard to matchup against.
It’s a huge difference having 2 dmen who can drive that ship. All great teams have at least 2. It’s the difference between 25 minutes a night, and 45-50 minutes a night, carrying play, in a 7 game series.
Tocchet isn’t stupid. He knows he needs 2, because teams will forecheck the heck out of Quinn in the playoffs, and they will wear him down IF there’s nobody else who can carry the play. We’re too deep into the season now, if they believed Hronek was that guy, not to have been playing him in that role. To be fair, it’s why Detroit got rid of him as well, so it looks like that’s not in the cards.
So if Chychrun is available, he should be their main target. It would be the move that could put them over the top. They’d be way harder to matchup against come a 7 game series.
Make the big move.
If they can’t get him, or someone who can play that role, they’ll need another role player who’s tough to play against. That will help their D NOT getting worn down as quickly. Obviously Tanev fits that role, but there’s several others who can play that role as well.
The second thing they need, is a forward who can give them some tough minutes in the playoffs. Someone who can win battles, is hard to play against, and can play in their Top 6 if needed. Teams don’t like trading those types though. Greenway from Buffalo maybe?
If they can’t get that type of guy, try getting at least someone who will win battles and give them some hard minutes. Fischer or Kostin from Detroit would fit that bill. Not sure they’re available, but if Detroit ends up selling Fischer or Kostin could be a solid add for their bottom 6. Either gives them someone to win those battles, and they’re hard players to play against.
Chychrun should be their big target though, and it sounds like Ottawa is willing to deal him. It would be huge because teams can’t just zero in on wearing Hughes down, and it would keep Hronek with Hughes. Their blue line would be very hard to matchup against.
