Here’s the thing. Brady may never become that scorer you depend on consistently, but he has that “it” too. You always lose trading those type of players.
They need to add players who play a significant role around him, while defining his role and holding him accountable to it, as well.. That will help him become a better, more consistent player. Unlike Calgary who had some vets to help Matthew’s game take that next step, Brady hasn’t had any of that yet. It’s definitely not too late though, and that better be the plan, or he’ll inevitably force his way out of town.
They’re more likely to move guys like Norris, Batherson and Chychrun, and make sure they get some of those “pro’s pros”, to litter throughout their lineup. Whether that’s in the trades for those guys, or signing those types of UFAs, and just cash in with picks and prospects for the players they move.
Detroit did it right this year. Took a lot of crap on this site about it, but hard to argue with the results, and how many of their young players grew as more complete players/prospects this year, by either surrounding them with very professional type players, and giving them very specific roles like Seider and Raymond, or didn’t rush them along in their development, like Edvinsson, Kasper, Danielson, etc. Keeping him in the AHL playing the role they intended to play him in the NHL, rather than just throwing him to the wolves, like other teams have done. So when they did finally bring him up, he’s one of the rare players, who slid right into a Top, “pair carrying”, Top 4 role, with a very professional player like Petry to play with.
They were able to do that, because they signed more role players last summer, but it’s the types they signed over two summers. The Compher, Copp, Petry, Maatta, Perron types. Those guys helped teach Seider and Raymond how to be really good “pro’s pros”, and held the young players accountable.. They even helped DeBrincat become a player who doesn’t cheat the game, like he would at times.
Players who play the game the right way, who never cheat the game, set great examples, and demand that same commitment from the young guys in the room. Look at what the result was for Raymond and Seider. They’ve now taken that next step, at such a young age.
That doesn’t happen without surrounding them with those “pro’s pros” Ottawa has talked about going after this summer.
Unfortunately Ottawa and Buffalo specifically, really did, just throw their young guys out there and said, figure it out, and let the results determine what roles they’d play, and what types of players they’re becoming. In all honesty, what the hell was Benson playing in the NHL for this season? It’s not that he couldn’t do it. It’s, what did he really get out of it, that’s gonna make him a more complete player at 21-22? Nothing.
You can’t just throw guys into the fire and hope they teach themselves how to be great NHL players. Buffalo could’ve facilitated a Benson trade to a team like Portland (like Detroit did with Danielson) to play with a coach who “further” develops high end players. They could’ve sent him there and said, all we want you working on this year is, A, B and C, and he would’ve been a much better player come next October. No, they nickel and dimed him on the roster, rather than adding a good, veteran role player to play with their other young players, and having him develop other parts of his game.
It ends up stunting the growth of really good, young players, if they’re not surrounded by guys who’ve been there, and know what it takes.
David Perron is a great example. He would be a great addition to the Sens this summer. A guy like Brayden McNabb added to their blue line would be a great add for like a 2nd or 3rd round pick. Trading for a Ryan Hartman, or even signing a Chandler Stephenson or Marchessault.
That’s the type of players they’re gonna add this summer. Or better add. They may not be as talented, personal ceiling wise next year, but they’ll be a better hockey team. Teaching their young core how to play the game, the right way, and putting them in positions to become top-end players. Brady, Stutzle, Greig, Pinto, Sanderson, all need to be given specific roles, and veterans surrounding them, who will help make them great players.
So if they trade a Norris, they may take some crap on this site for the perceived return value, but the results will be better on the ice.
Doesn’t have to be those guys I mentioned. Those are just the types DET added, rather than playing more kids in roles they weren’t ready for. It could be a combination of Ryan Hartman, Perron, and Brayden McNabb. Or how about signing Chandler Stephenson and Perron, and trading for McNabb?
They’re gonna go get a FEW “professional pros” this summer. Hell, they may only get picks and prospects for the 2-3 players they trade away, but if they do exactly this, they’re in the playoffs next year, and this time next year, we’re talking about what major steps those young guys took..
It’s time to stop letting the players determine what type of players and the roles they’re going play, or grow into playing. It’s time to have a specific role defined for each player, and put those young players in the best position to succeed.
The Sens mini revamp of their roster, should be the most entertaining to watch this summer. They’ve talked about doing just this, and after seeing what it did for Detroit’s young players this year, who by this time in the season, were the guys driving that ship, you can guarantee this is the plan.
Now they just have to choose the right vets to litter the roster with. It won’t be the Kubalik’s or Tarasenko’s of the world. They’ll have to spend, and maybe overpay a little, but get the right guys in there. More Claude’s obviously.
