Dave is a killer
Dave's a Mess
We might as well cross Staal off the list, sounds like he's going to sign an extension with Carolina.
Anyone think Smith and a Dman could be moved for a #1 C? Then slide Fiala in with Fisher to protect him. I guess I'm asking if Smith + is enough to land the C we all want. It gives stability down the middle and allows the young skilled wingers (Fiala, Arvidsson, Aberg, Moses) a chance to grow.
Based on what source? I'm not necessarily doubting that he will, but that article linked a few posts before didn't make that seem a certainty at all, to be honest.We might as well cross Staal off the list, sounds like he's going to sign an extension with Carolina.
I absolutely did not. Was just going by his play with the Leafs. Was not aware that he was that bad.
Anyone think Smith and a Dman could be moved for a #1 C? Then slide Fiala in with Fisher to protect him. I guess I'm asking if Smith + is enough to land the C we all want. It gives stability down the middle and allows the young skilled wingers (Fiala, Arvidsson, Aberg, Moses) a chance to grow.
figured volch was gone. "in house" means bartley starts 3rd pair and bitetto is the 7th i would guess. Ugh.
The Poile presser pretty much confirms that nothing big will happen.
I don't think it was really expected that we were going to, was it? I mean, we had a team that most of us just wanted to see get back to the playoffs, and the team accelerated that timetable quite a bit, even if slipping back to earth in the end. I'm not sure how many big changes are all that necessary, especially with as many forwards as are in the mix. If we were going to move on a 1C, I also wouldn't expect Poile to come out and say as much.
I am not excusing Poile but what options does he really have? Gave away our first for garbage again. Who is going to trade a #1C to us? No one. These days you draft them and Poile has not been in a position to do that. The FA market is weak and we really don't have room for anyone as it is. We are likely stuck with Nystrom and Stalberg (and their bad contracts) for another year.
I thought Alm had a good rookie camp. I think he got hurt in Milwaukee. But he might be serviceable on the third pair. I don't know which side he plays though. Bartley wasn't terrible either.
Poile has boxed himself in somewhat by trading our firsts several times and then a couple of trades that have been abject failures. Del Zotto and this latest one.
I don't know. How many other teams have "blown out" the Hawks this post-season? Our struggles came in the tight one-goal games, which other teams haven't had a great deal of success in vs the Hawks this post-season either. Minny is widely considered to have a much better top 6 than us and they looked anemic vs Chicago. We could definitely upgrade our group (and definitely need a younger top 6 center at some point), but I don't think it's such a need as to be disappointed if we don't.I'm going to be really disappointed and Poile stands put this offseason. Our forwards aren't good enough to compete in a seven game series with the big boys of the western conference. At the very least, we need to make a significant upgrade to the third line. Ideally, you get a number one center.
As previously mentioned, we have too many prospects who are withering away in MIL. We need to trade some of these guys to free up space and give the guys we want legitimate shots.
One last thing, I have zero cluw what Poile sees in Jarnkrok. Him saying Jarnie could develop into a top forward is the top six spaling debacle all over again. Jarnie doesn't have a shot. He doesn't have the offensive instincts to be a top six forward in this league.
Can we just either make Watson a full time NHLer or trade him away already? I get that our system has changed but I don't think I can handle another year of him being some kind of "potential solution". Either he's good enough to be here or he's not. As they say, crap or get off the pot.
He's not going to be worth the contract he's going to get. I've watched Beleskey for years. Hell of a wrist shot, plays with an edge, but low hockey IQ, mediocre on the defensive end, and can't create his own offense. Somebody is going to give him $4M+ for those 22 goals, and regret it greatly within a year or two.I would love Beleskey, but we CAN'T give him more than three years. If we are stupid and sign him for 5 or 6, we will regret it. He's riding a career year and could easily regress in a big way.
To get anyone even remotely in demand in free agency that's what you have to do. Overpay.He's not going to be worth the contract he's going to get. I've watched Beleskey for years. Hell of a wrist shot, plays with an edge, but low hockey IQ, mediocre on the defensive end, and can't create his own offense. Somebody is going to give him $4M+ for those 22 goals, and regret it greatly within a year or two.