bernmeister
Registered User
And I think this is where the fundamental different lies between you and alot of other posters (myself included)
We are at a point where (2 CF appearances in last three years, one finals appearance as well) we should be taking our shots at a cup. Of course not at the expense of stipping the future in the way that Neil Smith did during the post Cup years in 93-94
But you don't go backwards and strip the team of talented players today, that can win today just to build in perpetuity.
The idea behind building something is that you have an end product in mind with contstant tweaking, I'll say it again, constant TWEAKING. Not trading your top line center in Stepan because you believe that Hayes MAY COULD fill the role. And moving Girardi and bringing in some kid that hasn't made an impact on any team he has been on, has been traded thrice (Rundblad) and expect him to munch the same kind of minutes.
The deals you propose, almost always, are followed by the need to make additional deals.
You have no end game in sight.
It's pretty clear that the FO has settled on the following forwards as the core moving forward.
Stepan, Nash, MSL, Kreider, Brassard and Zuccs. I do not expect ANY of them to be sent packing any time soon.
On Defence, McD, Girardi are the guys that have been given long term commitments by the GM. They ARE part of the equation ON THE ICE.
Hank is a no brainer.
You want to have fun with the rest of the roster, by all means have at it. Making moves regarding the remaining assets would be tweaking the roster. Until Duke and Butch make their case to be included in that core, they are interchangable assuming profit no coke for pepsi (like what I did there?)
There is no final end!
It is and remains ever an ongoing process, even when you've won the Cup, you have to prepare to defend the following season +.
Don't think of it as a snapshot.
Think of it as a video.
PS like what you did at the end