Speculation: 2016 Coyotes Off-Season Roster Discussion - Part 4

[Grimes]

I have no problem with bringing in Vrbata for a year. I'd have been in favor of bringing on a PK'r like rt suggested but Radim isn't a slouch in his end. We needed a RHS, badly. I wasn't as crazy about bringing him when Vermette was on the roster because there was little room for youth. Vermette is gone but we still manage to keep vet presence.

 

[_Del_]

What was that thing about bringing back all the old guys they were talking about when a certain GM was fired?

Bring in the blue text~!

The blue text writes itself sometimes, doesn't it?



I'm okay with bringing back Vrbata. We badly need depth up front. Even shell-of-former-self depth.
Same reason I wouldn't have bought out Vermette. Even if you thought the "real Vermette" was the fourth liner we saw at the beginning of last season and not the decent center we saw at the end of the season and he rest of his time here, saving 600k sounds like a dumb reason to buy him out.

Still, if you publically whack a scapegoat with all those stories, and then follow it up with big budget cuts and the same behaviour, it's pretty ironic.

Certain posters have been firmly against resigning Vrbata just like being against trading Hanzal and Vermette. Now that it's done, I expect a post hoc rationalization on why we needed this signing and how it makes us better and shows managements commitment to winning/playoffs.

 

[hbk]

Rationally I understand the Vrbata signing. I'm just tired of bringing in players we've moved on from.

Vrbata fits with Hanzal. Established chemistry.

 

[Matias Maccete]

Rationally I understand the Vrbata signing. I'm just tired of bringing in players we've moved on from.

Vrbata fits with Hanzal. Established chemistry.

Also domi plays an awful lot like Whitney at times.

 

[Jakey53]

Rationally I understand the Vrbata signing. I'm just tired of bringing in players we've moved on from.

Vrbata fits with Hanzal. Established chemistry.

If true, this signing makes me want to puke. I'm so sick and tired of bringing back over the hill vets. Sure Vrbata has chemistry with Hanzal, but so does Duclair. In my opinion it is a stupid move. I know we are weak on the right side, but we are not a Vrbata away from winning the cup. I guess this means we have a 35 year old Vrbata as our 1RW.

 

[Bonsai Tree]

This is simply a (sad for me) recognition that the forwards are still at least a year away.

 

[strizzy16]

If true, this signing makes me want to puke. I'm so sick and tired of bringing back over the hill vets. Sure Vrbata has chemistry with Hanzal, but so does Duclair. In my opinion it is a stupid move. I know we are weak on the right side, but we are not a Vrbata away from winning the cup. I guess this means we have a 35 year old Vrbata as our 1RW.

agree about bringing in vets that are over the hill, but disagree that this is a stupid move. even if vrbata isn't absolutely incredible this year, it's a low risk 1 yr contract and he is really just a stopgap.i mean we clearly needed help at RW so i think this move was more out of roster desperation and not necessarily out of analytics or anything like that, which i'd prefer from chayka. so even tho vrbata may be over the hill we still need to squeeze some veteran production out of him and we certainly need the RW depth. also let's not forget the production that we got out of Whitney at, what, age 38-39 range ? vrbata had a spike in production the last time he returned to PHX

This is simply a (sad for me) recognition that the forwards are still at least a year away.

Yes, exactly. with our projected roster i think it's safe to expect some exciting and sometimes eye opening play out of the kids as they get their chance, but it's still a year until we expect to be actual playoff contenders.

Also maybe bringing vrbata back will be good for some more-casual coyotes fans with the name recognition there and the memories of some winning teams? could help put more butts in the seats? idk, i could be wrong there. yandle / maybe even vermette were probably more of what you could call "fan favorites"

 

[Ebb]

Not a big fan of this signing either (if it happens), but there wasn't much else out there without giving up prospects we don't want to part with.

In terms of lines, I hope there is something else happening, but this would be fine to start:

Domi - [NEW] - Duclair
McGinn - Hanzal - Vrbata
Rieder - Strome - Doan
Martinook - Richardson - White​

It pushes Dvorak out this season, but he could be the first call-up. Although Strome starts out on the 3rd, that would be fine by me; he could then earn a higher role. I also think this is more of a "Tippett-Friendly" roster with only one rookie playing regularly.

 

[rt]

If it's 1yr, 1mil than fine. Why not? I'd prefer a nastier SOB and/or a PKer. But maybe they don't want to love any assets. Which is fine. It's a throw-away year. I want to be competitive longer for the confidence and experience building of the younger players on the roster, but I don't expect the playoffs or anything. Also, I like that we're pushing younger guys who don't need to be here yet to lower leagues where they can continue to develop and improve.

 

[Jakey53]

This is simply a (sad for me) recognition that the forwards are still at least a year away.

That's what I was thinking, but still I would have waited until training camp concluded, and if someone else picked up Vrbata so be it. So that takes Duclair off the Hanzal Domi line unless they want Strome with Domi and Duclair. I don't hate Vrbata as a player, I hate his age, but mostly I hate that we keep on bringing back players that played here before. This s--- never works out.

 

[Jakey53]

If it's 1yr, 1mil than fine. Why not? I'd prefer a nastier SOB and/or a PKer. But maybe they don't want to love any assets. Which is fine. It's a throw-away year. I want to be competitive longer for the confidence and experience building of the younger players on the roster, but I don't expect the playoffs or anything. Also, I like that we're pushing younger guys who don't need to be here yet to lower leagues where they can continue to develop and improve.

If he signs for 1mil, then fine, but I think you are going to cry when you see it will be double that. I sure hope your right.

 

[Jakey53]

Not a big fan of this signing either (if it happens), but there wasn't much else out there without giving up prospects we don't want to part with.

In terms of lines, I hope there is something else happening, but this would be fine to start:

Domi - [NEW] - Duclair
McGinn - Hanzal - Vrbata
Rieder - Strome - Doan
Martinook - Richardson - White​

It pushes Dvorak out this season, but he could be the first call-up. Although Strome starts out on the 3rd, that would be fine by me; he could then earn a higher role. I also think this is more of a "Tippett-Friendly" roster with only one rookie playing regularly.

And where are we going to get a 1C? If by miracle we find one, how many of Strome, Domi, Duclair or Dvorak are you willing to lose?
I think this signing means nothing as far as Strome and Dvorak are concerned.

 

[AZviaNJ]

Not a big fan of this signing either (if it happens), but there wasn't much else out there without giving up prospects we don't want to part with.

In terms of lines, I hope there is something else happening, but this would be fine to start:

Domi - [NEW] - Duclair
McGinn - Hanzal - Vrbata
Rieder - Strome - Doan
Martinook - Richardson - White​

It pushes Dvorak out this season, but he could be the first call-up. Although Strome starts out on the 3rd, that would be fine by me; he could then earn a higher role. I also think this is more of a "Tippett-Friendly" roster with only one rookie playing regularly.

how are we getting a 1C?

 

[rt]

I prefer Hanzal between the Killer Deez. I prefer Vrbata with Strome.

Domi-Hanzal-Duclair
McGinn-Strome-Vrbata
Rieder-Richardson-Doan
Martinook-Gaudet-White

...Still want to pick up Torrey Mitchell.


Domi-Hanzal-Duclair
McGinn-Strome-Vrbata
Rieder-Richardson-Doan
Martinook-Mitchell-White

Or

Domi-Hanzal-Duclair
McGinn-Strome-Vrbata
Rieder-Richardson-Doan
Martinook-Mitchell-Samuelsson
White

 

[GiveAFlyingPuck]

Vrbata could be worth about 4 more points if his forehand/backhand move still works. We could use some more shootout wins.

 

[SniperHF]

I'm okay with bringing back Vrbata.

For the record, I don't really mind as well. Just noting past statements for the record

 

[Bonsai Tree]

I wonder if Vrbata will play second line, allowing Domi and Duclair to pair with Hanzal. Verby would make a great on ice tutor for either Strome or Dvorak. Every time I write "Dvorak" I think New World Symphony.

 

[Mosby]

I like Vrbata with Strome. Vrby's slowing speed, and his ability to change gears, fits well with Strome's slower stride.

Signing Vrbata makes me feel better about losing Vermette's leadership. We've filled that void. I still think we're screwed when Hanzal goes down and we have no legitimate enter depth.

In my mind, for a complete off-season, we still need to address:

- Fix the center issue, whether that's moving Hanzal in a deal involving a C, or add another C all together.

- We have too many defensemen and not enough top-4 D. Get that RD partner for OEL.

- I had a concern about top-six RW depth, but Vrbata addresses that need. At the least, he and Doan can swap between the 2nd and 3rd lines.

 

[Mosby]

I see it as:

Domi - Hanzal - Duclair
McGinn - Strome - Vrbata
Rieder - Dvorak - Doan
Nook - Richardson - White

 

[Muppet]

I see it as:

Domi - Hanzal - Duclair
McGinn - Strome - Vrbata
Rieder - Dvorak - Doan
Nook - Richardson - White

I'd be pretty happy with that tbh. At least until the inevitable happens with Tippett throwing names into a hat and rolling with whatever comes out.

 

[SniperHF]

I'd be pretty happy with that tbh. At least until the inevitable happens with Tippett throwing names into a hat and rolling with whatever comes out.

Don't forget Hanzal breaking down.

 

[_Del_]

For the record, I don't really mind as well. Just noting past statements for the record

Philosophical differences. We wanted to spend more money... only, he wouldnt, see... yeah, yeah, that's the ticket

 

[LuckyNumber11]

I see it as:

Domi - Hanzal - Duclair
McGinn - Strome - Vrbata
Rieder - Dvorak - Doan
Nook - Richardson - White

I'm actually really happy with how these lines look. Vbata gives our prospect RWs (none of which I think are 100% NHL ready) more time to develop. Puts another good bet next to Strome. Brings back a player who I always enjoyed hoping for another Renaissance to occur here.

This puts us closer to playoff contention IMO.

 

[_Del_]

. I still think we're screwed when Hanzal goes down and we have no legitimate enter depth.

If only we could've spent an extra 600k and had a decent bottom six guy on tap...

 

[Ebb]

how are we getting a 1C?

I did say "Hope" we aren't finished. If we could acquire a legitimate 1C, I'd be willing to give up a fair amount. I wouldn't be willing to part with Domi or Strome, but would be fine with a package of some sort involving Dvorak or Duclair.

Again, I'd like to keep all of the above, but if we can improve significantly, sacrifices can be made (even though this season may not be the ideal time). Of course, whoever we acquire would need to have decent term (3-4 years), youngish, and a 51+point scorer per season. It probably ain't out there, but I can dream...