Speculation: 2013 - 2014 Season Roster Part 5

[XX]

This may sound stupid, but if Schenn is that good, why hasn't he broken out yet? And where would he fit in to our lineup?

Eh, he's a 22 year old .5+ ppg player for a gong show of an organization. Wouldn't write him off yet

He already broke out and had a 50+ point season last year, if you factor his scoring over 82 games. Some D has to go. May as well get a pretty damn good 22 year old forward for one.

 

[KG]

I guess I assumed he was a center. But if he could play wing that would fit well into out top 6. Doan would be better on the 3rd line and as a PP specialist anyway, especially as he ages even more.

 

[IPreferPi]

Interesting from Craig Morgan yesterday:

The blue line has some weaknesses: The offensive numbers have been staggering (18 goals and 59 points), but the production has masked aforementioned defensive issues, which may have made adding a beefy defenseman before the trade deadline priority No. 2 -- right after a top-6 forward.

http://www.foxsportsarizona.com/nhl...shift-to-offensive?blockID=963601&feedID=3698

 

[rt]

"You might as well turn off the television set and go get a margarita," general manager Don Maloney said.

HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHHHAHAHAHH!

 

[DesertDawg]

Interesting from Craig Morgan yesterday:



http://www.foxsportsarizona.com/nhl...shift-to-offensive?blockID=963601&feedID=3698

That's why trading Klesla doesn't make sense! Also, with 59/73, a defensemen is usually involved in the offense. I wouldn't want to shake up the defensive core. Our defense helps with the offense so our forwards need to keep helping out with the defense. Bringing in another defensive forward (with other skills) makes more sense than a big body 'D'man. But then again I would rather have 2 top 6 forwards that can play 2-way hockey instead.

 

[Grimes]

The blue line has some weaknesses: The offensive numbers have been staggering (18 goals and 59 points), but the production has masked aforementioned defensive issues, which may have made adding a beefy defenseman before the trade deadline priority No. 2 -- right after a top-6 forward.

Hmmm. Don't want to look too much into this but for speculations sake, perhaps moving Klesla for a top 6 happens before the deadline, and then getting another cheaper big defensive defenseman as a rental around the deadline happens. Doesn't make all that much sense but who knows.

 

[DesertDawg]

Hmmm. Don't want to look too much into this but for speculations sake, perhaps moving Klesla for a top 6 happens before the deadline, and then getting another cheaper big defensive defenseman as a rental around the deadline happens. Doesn't make all that much sense but who knows.

That doesn't make sense.

This team will need Klesla for the playoffs. The post season is the priority! I wouldn't mind the Coyotes re-signing RK (as long as it's for less money than what he made this season) & DM and trading some of the younger players for help (as long as it's the right deal). Heck, I would prefer the Coyotes move Michalek (and his $4mil/ contract) before Klesla.

 

[rt]

Interesting from Craig Morgan yesterday:



http://www.foxsportsarizona.com/nhl...shift-to-offensive?blockID=963601&feedID=3698

My armchair coaching eye (pretty lousy, by the way) has caught what I believe to be generally solid defensive play from our blue line, mixed in with some really big, really dumb turnovers that turn into sustained pressure and goals against. I know it's overly simplistic to say that the boys just need to "tighten up", but I find myself actually believing it, regardless of how naive it may seem.

Smith is dialing in, and I think the D can too. I really don't think this is an issue that's best solved by looking externally. It's just that each of our guys have caught a little case of the Jovo-itis at various points of the young season. It's just got to work its way out of their systems and they'll be fine. Do they make an anti-Ed-otic?

 

[IPreferPi]

Kennedy has just been recalled - I'm assuming Szwarz will be sent back down.

I'm still scratching my head on why McMillan hasn't even gotten a 1 game look. His statline suggests he's doing well in Portland.

 

[rt]

That doesn't make sense.

This team will need Klesla for the playoffs. The post season is the priority! I wouldn't mind the Coyotes re-signing RK (as long as it's for less money than what he made this season) & DM and trading some of the younger players for help (as long as it's the right deal). Heck, I would prefer the Coyotes move Michalek (and his $4mil/ contract) before Klesla.

Michalek is the only defensive-dman we have that can play on the top pair.

 

[rt]

Kennedy has just been recalled - I'm assuming Szwarz will be sent back down.

I'm still scratching my head on why McMillan hasn't even gotten a 1 game look.

I'm just scratching my head, period. Isn't Brown still up? What is the point of recalling Kennedy?

 

[Sciamachy]

I'm just scratching my head, period. Isn't Brown still up? What is the point of recalling Kennedy?

Brown was sent back a couple days after being called up. Korpi didn't skate yesterday, "upper-body", so this may just be a precautionary move.

 

[IPreferPi]

My armchair coaching eye (pretty lousy, by the way) has caught what I believe to be generally solid defensive play from our blue line, mixed in with some really big, really dumb turnovers that turn into sustained pressure and goals against. I know it's overly simplistic to say that the boys just need to "tighten up", but I find myself actually believing it, regardless of how naive it may seem.

Smith is dialing in, and I think the D can too. I really don't think this is an issue that's best solved by looking externally. It's just that each of our guys have caught a little case of the Jovo-itis at various points of the young season. It's just got to work its way out of their systems and they'll be fine. Do they make an anti-Ed-otic?

I agree, we certainly have the D personnel. It's not about even gambling too much on offense, it's just sloppy defensive positioning at times plus the inability to quickly clear the zone. These are issues we had last season that should have been partly remedied by the normal, non-lockout schedule, but they are issues that can be fixed by coaching.

Would much rather get another bottom 6 PK forward or a Top 6 forward with decent two-way ability. Fleischmann fits the latter criteria okay (played significant PK time as a Capital), obviously Erat and Brouwer fit that mold better, but they would probably cost us Klesla.

 

[DesertDawg]

I'm just scratching my head, period. Isn't Brown still up? What is the point of recalling Kennedy?

CB was sent to Portland on the 14th

...and I was comparing Klesla to Michalek and not really endorsing trading Z. I guess it's debatable if Klesla can be replaced more easily than Michalek. I just think Z can be replaced easier than what Klesla brings to the Coyote plus in back of my mind, Z did sign elsewhere before coming back to the Coyotes and has $ 4mil on the books for next season.

 

[rt]

I think it's harder to replace the 20-22min guy than the 15-16min, isn't it? One is top pair and the other is bottom pair. I think I'm missing something, or am confusing what you are saying.

 

[Kaibur]

Hmmm. Don't want to look too much into this but for speculations sake, perhaps moving Klesla for a top 6 happens before the deadline, and then getting another cheaper big defensive defenseman as a rental around the deadline happens. Doesn't make all that much sense but who knows.

Would someone like Hal Gill and Summers/Gormley be able to carry the water? I'm sure Philly would give Gill away, but it's more about seeing if Summers can perform and having a back up plan in place.

Let's face it. In the last 6 years, Klesla has only played 60% of the games he's contracted for. What are the chances he actually contributes something for a Cup run? Because the odds of him actually dressing for a given game is 3 in 5. It's like hiring someone who's really good at what they do, but calls in twice a week every week. How do you rely on that?

I've wanted Klesla moved for a long time because you can't count on him, but at this point, I think they've decided to just take on the risk of his injuries and hope he stays healthy enough to play a few games here and there. With the depth on D, whether Klesla plays or not doesn't seem to be critical to competing in the West.

 

[IPreferPi]

Would someone like Hal Gill and Summers/Gormley be able to carry the water? I'm sure Philly would give Gill away, but it's more about seeing if Summers can perform and having a back up plan in place.

Let's face it. In the last 6 years, Klesla has only played 60% of the games he's contracted for. What are the chances he actually contributes something for a Cup run?

With the depth on D, whether Klesla plays or not doesn't seem to be critical to competing in the West.

Klesla was absolute money during our run to the WCF. And he's certainly critical to our PK. He offers something to the left side of our blueline that Schlemko and Gormley do not. Summers could feasibly replace his grit/size + offers better mobility, but his decision making is also a lot more suspect than Rusty's.

 

[Kaibur]

Klesla was absolute money during our run to the WCF. And he's certainly critical to our PK.

Yes he was. But he didn't do anything the playoffs before. And we missed the playoffs last year. He only made the playoffs once in his entire time with Columbus. Not sure which of those to emphasize over the others.

Our PK is struggling. Not sure if you're saying it's struggling because Rusty is once again not healthy enough to contribute or if you're saying he's critical to our PK and we should keep him (because our PK is ranked 24th and something's gotta give).

 

[RemoAZ]

Klesla was absolute money during our run to the WCF. And he's certainly critical to our PK. He offers something to the left side of our blueline that Schlemko and Gormley do not. Summers could feasibly replace his grit/size + offers better mobility, but his decision making is also a lot more suspect than Rusty's.

Klesla has been out even more than usual this season. I think counting on him for any stretch, including the playoffs is 50/50 at best. I love the group we have on defense without him. Yeah it would be nice to have another big hitting, stay at home type back there but nobody can match the skill we can roll out every night. I still think moving Klesla's salary to help us land a forward is the way to go if Maloney can pull it off.

 

[IPreferPi]

Yes he was. But he didn't do anything the playoffs before. And we missed the playoffs last year. He only made the playoffs once in his entire time with Columbus. Not sure which of those to emphasize over the others.

Our PK is struggling. Not sure if you're saying it's struggling because Rusty is once again not healthy enough to contribute or if you're saying he's critical to our PK and we should keep him (because our PK is ranked 24th and something's gotta give).

I think our PK struggles are half the result of injuries to Morris and Klesla. After the shellackings in SJ and NYI at the start of the season, when Klesla rejoined the lineup our PK was actually pretty darn good for the next few weeks. I think Schlemko has no business being on the PK for us. Also wouldn't hurt to add another bottom 6 forward who's good on the PK like a Beagle, Goc, Smithson, etc. as long as the cost is cheap.

 

[Kaibur]

Klesla has been out even more than usual this season. I think counting on him for any stretch, including the playoffs is 50/50 at best. I love the group we have on defense without him. Yeah it would be nice to have another big hitting, stay at home type back there but nobody can match the skill we can roll out every night. I still think moving Klesla's salary to help us land a forward is the way to go if Maloney can pull it off.

Actually, he hasn't. He's played 60 per cent of the games this year. Which is his annual average over the last 6 years. It might seem like he's missed more than usual, but this is just how much Rusty plays. He's very good, but he's very injury prone. It's a $3M risk.

 

[IPreferPi]

Klesla has been out even more than usual this season. I think counting on him for any stretch, including the playoffs is 50/50 at best. I love the group we have on defense without him. Yeah it would be nice to have another big hitting, stay at home type back there but nobody can match the skill we can roll out every night. I still think moving Klesla's salary to help us land a forward is the way to go if Maloney can pull it off.

Still 3/4s of the season left. I certainly don't think our torrid offensive production is sustainable, unless you truly believe both OEL and Yandle can hit 60 points.

 

[DesertDawg]

I think it's harder to replace the 20-22min guy than the 15-16min, isn't it? One is top pair and the other is bottom pair. I think I'm missing something, or am confusing what you are saying.

Klesla is a very effective physical presence on the blue line. That's something that the Coyotes lack and is needed during the playoffs.
Both are shut down d'men, 1 plays on the left and the other on the right. I feel Stone can replace Z more effectively than Schlemko can replace Klesla. But then again it also depends on who they are matched up against. And the $$$ always comes in question.

I also consider RK & Z to both be equal when talking about being injury prone. And consider it a hazard of their similar shut-down playing style.

 

[SniperHF]

Still 3/4s of the season left. I certainly don't think our torrid offensive production is sustainable, unless you truly believe both OEL and Yandle can hit 60 points.

I'm not saying it's likely either, but Yandle basically already has and lot's of people said that OEL has the same potential for the last 3 years. So

I think the scoring drop is more likely on the forward side from Doan and Hanzal.

 

[Grimes]

So Columbus isn't looking too hot.

I admittedly do not follow the team much, nor do I know the value on many of their players. But I know we have made some scandalous trades with them in the past and I wonder if some prospects and Schlemko could go a long way there. Thoughts?