This is so hard because there's so much we don't know regarding Holloway signing an NHL contract or Klefbomb's injury status.
Player Evaluations: UFA's and RFA's
- Mike Smith - Has played far above expectations, but there's no room for him assuming we chase a starting G (can't see us trading Kosk, not buying him out).
- Chiasson - Let him walk.
- Khaira - Give an extension. He works on the 4th line. Useful on PK, provides size, stands up for teammates, doesn't shy from contact.
- Kahun - Leaning towards letting him walk. He might be a useful 3rd line LW, but we have internal solutions for that. He hasn't produced well given the opportunity he's been given.
- Haas - I like him as a utility extra F.
- Shore - He's earned a contract, he fits on the 4th line with Khaira and Archibald.
- Larsson - He's been solid, I extend him. We don't have another physical, defensive D on our right side.
- Barrie - I'm only willing to give him up to $5m over a max term of 3 years. The expectation was that he'd come in to pump his stats and get a big contract elsewhere. Not getting my hopes up.
- Yamamoto - 2 year bridge contract.
- Nuge - Term is whatever, but I offer max $6.5m or let him walk.
- Koekkoek - He was solid, but we have so many young LD that are close to the NHL, I let him walk.
- Ennis - Let him walk.
- Nygard - Let him walk.
- P.Russell - Let him walk.
Expansion Draft
Protect 7F-3D
7F: McDavid, Draisaitl, JP, Yamamoto, Nuge, Benson, Archibald
3D: Nurse, Bear, Larsson
We made the post-season this year without Klefbomb, I think we can do it again. He's a big question mark, how much has he regressed and how long will it take for him to return to form? Will he? After Barrie walks, and Bear is claimed (should he be claimed) we're barren on the right-side.
I think 2LD will have to be a patch job, much like this year, with the hopes that someone grabs the job at the start of next season. It will be a bumpy road, but I'm willing to bet that one of Jones, Lagesson, Samorukov, or Broberg will emerge as a 2LD in 2022/23.
We have a nice young forward core shaping up. And I'd prefer to keep that together over protecting Klefbomb if he's cleared.
Internal Solutions:
Benson: Middle-6 LW - If given the same opportunity and patience given to Kahun, I think Benson would have produced as well, if not better.
McLeod: 3LW or 3C - I'd like to start him off at 3LW as a rookie playing beside a veteran 3C to break him into the league.
Marody: It's hard to find him a spot. We have Yamamoto and JP on the skill lines, Kassian is the vet bottom-6 RW with size/speed/skill, and Archibald is more suited to a 4th line role.
Lavoie: Expecting him to play a full season in the AHL, could see him getting a look if Yams/JP get injured.
Holloway: 3C or top 6 LW - A full season of the AHL would be the responsible thing to do (going from AJHL -> NCAA -> NHL top 6 is a steep development curve). Not hard to imagine him getting an opportunity as early as next season.
Samorukov: 2LD or 3LD - Had a stellar season in the KHL playing top 4 minutes. Very well-rounded player. NHL ready imo, he could easily surprise and I strongly feel that if he continues his upward trajectory he should be a staple in our top 4.
Broberg: Very up and down season in the SHL. I'm expecting a full season in the AHL.
Off-season Moves:
- Sign a vet 3C to a stop-gap deal.
- Go after a starting G.
- Buyout Neal
- Sign Kulikov or some fringe 2LD to a stop-gap deal
assuming Klefbomb is claimed
- If Nuge walks I do a Toronto->Tavares esque run after Hamilton lol. I'm assuming Nuge gets signed.
Roster Projection:
Holloway/McDavid/JP
Nuge/Draisatil/Yams
McLeod/Vet 3C/Kassian
Shore/Khaira/Archibald
Haas/Benson
Nurse/Bear
(Lagesson, Jones, or Kulikov)/Larsson
Samorukov/Bouchard
Ullmark/Koskinen
Nuge is better with Drai than McDavid. The prospect of Holloway/JP as McDavid's wingers is tantalizing. Both are big and go hard on the forecheck, have skill, and go to the dirty areas (Holloway moreso). I think Samorukov+Bouchard has the potential to be an excellent pairing now and long-term.