Speculation: 2017 Offseason Roster Discussion 3 - Langkow for a 1st Edition

[RABBIT]

I've never seen Crouse as much of a fighter or blood an guts guy. Just big, strong and smart. I haven't seen fire or meanness out of him at any level.

EDIT: looking back at last season, he does appear to be trying to add that approach to his repertoire which is commendable and strategically intelligent. So maybe that becomes a bigger part of his game. That would be nice.

Well he fought Brendan Dillon, PK Subban, Curtis McKenzie, and Chris Stewart in his rookie season of the NHL. That's quite a fight card for 72 games. He was also known for big hits in juniors and standing up for his teammates. I think that shows grit and passion. Lucic seems like a good comparison

EDIT: Just saw your edit.

 

[BUX7PHX]

Players in the NHL who have never truly dominated a tier or two below the NHL are almost never impact NHL players.

And there are plenty of players who have also done incredibly well in junior who also never become impact players (Conor Garland, Scott Glennie, etc.).

Not saying that your reasoning is invalid or misguided, but there are subtleties within each individual player that shapes their readiness. Garland may never be an impact player due to his size and lack of defensive game. That may change in a year or two. Those may have been the two primary reasons why Crouse made the team - more advanced defensive game than others and size. If he winds up never becoming an impact player in the NHL, are we going to point to the fact that he did not play a second overage junior season as to the reason why? Or could it be that no matter how many junior/AHL seasons, maybe he is good enough to be a 3rd/4th line grinder only and he is ready to do that starting at age 19?

You are correct about the idea of giving up a 2nd round instead of a 3rd round pick b/c of keeping him up, but we gave him 9 games and he had enough to show that he didn't deserve to get moved back to juniors. So, 30 draft slots to find out that we have a true keeper? I am okay with that.

 

[rt]

How cheaply could we acquire Connor Carrick? He appears poised to end up "just" a RHS PP specialist. Maybe Toronto is receptive if they're looking at a Shattenkirk or Stone or Franson option. I'd be okay with Postma being our main blueline acquisition if we can hedge our bets a little with a guy like Carrick. Same goes for Ville Pokka who seems to be maybe in that same boat a little. Could we sign Postma and trade a mid round pick or midding forward prospect for Carrick or Pokka and be satisfied with our blueline next season?

Basically I'm looking at RHS D with sustained high-end AHL PP production over several years that have failed to establish themselves as meaningful NHL players at this point. I think if we can grab a couple of these types and cross our fingers we might be okay. Who else fits the bill that I'm missing? Guys like Postma, Carrick and Pokka who put up big PP numbers in the AHL but are reaching "expendable" status in the NHL?

 

[Guest]

I've seen a few studies that suggested that while quality of competition and role have little to do with how a young player develops (that is, a forward won't be irreparably hindered by going against better or worse opponents or by getting stuck with defensive assignments), the key factor is actually quality of linemates.

In general if you want to get better at something it is important to work with or compete against those who are better than you, so this does not surprise me. It also explains why it is important to add some talent to the team to bring up the skill level of players.

 

[_Del_]

Impossible. Everyone knows the only reason to move any one or fire them is to save tons of money and make it easier to move the team.

 

[rt]

How cheaply could we acquire Connor Carrick? He appears poised to end up "just" a RHS PP specialist. Maybe Toronto is receptive if they're looking at a Shattenkirk or Stone or Franson option. I'd be okay with Postma being our main blueline acquisition if we can hedge our bets a little with a guy like Carrick. Same goes for Ville Pokka who seems to be maybe in that same boat a little. Could we sign Postma and trade a mid round pick or midding forward prospect for Carrick or Pokka and be satisfied with our blueline next season?

Basically I'm looking at RHS D with sustained high-end AHL PP production over several years that have failed to establish themselves as meaningful NHL players at this point. I think if we can grab a couple of these types and cross our fingers we might be okay. Who else fits the bill that I'm missing? Guys like Postma, Carrick and Pokka who put up big PP numbers in the AHL but are reaching "expendable" status in the NHL?

Maybe Adam Clendening?

 

[The Feckless Puck]

Makes it more likely, to me, that Kyle Wood is going to be getting a slot out of camp.

 

[Plub]

That's fine with me. I would like to get a RHD, but I won't be fussed if we don't do anything.

 

[rt]

I wonder if he's being bearish on the UFA market because we've got a deal for Demers after his bonus is paid Saturday.

 

[Matias Maccete]

Getting Demers for cheap would be a nice way to wrap up our offseason.

 

[ParisSaintGermain]

Makes it more likely, to me, that Kyle Wood is going to be getting a slot out of camp.

My interpretation of this is that we have had many changes already, filled the obvious needs and now it is time to take a step back, see how the new coach work that new roster out and take it from there.

 

[Tad Mikowski]

My interpretation of this is that we have had many changes already, filled the obvious needs and now it is time to take a step back, see how the new coach work that new roster out and take it from there.

this is half of my thinking as well. either that or its a smokescreen and Chayka doesn't want to let anyone know who he's interested in. That way the market for said player doesn't start a bidding war

 

[mouser]

Makes it more likely, to me, that Kyle Wood is going to be getting a slot out of camp.

Guess this means either Schenn is playing 2nd pairing or one of Chychrun/Gogogoski is going to play on their off-hand.

 

[Ebb]

My interpretation of this is that we have had many changes already, filled the obvious needs and now it is time to take a step back, see how the new coach work that new roster out and take it from there.

While that might be a solid strategy, I still think we need an RHD and a RW. Not "Glaring holes, but holes nonetheless.

LW: Domi, Perlini, Rieder, Crouse, Martinook?,
C: Stepan, Dvorak, Strome?, Richardson, Cousins?
RW: Duclair?, McGinn, Fischer, Keller??
LD: OEL, Goligoski, Chychrun
RD: Hjalms, Schenn, Connauton? Wood??

I think Keller will play the majority of the season in Tucson and guessing Wood stays in Tucson for almost the whole season (depending on injuries).
I also think we may try to move Rieder or Martinook

 

[Kaibur]

How cheaply could we acquire Connor Carrick? He appears poised to end up "just" a RHS PP specialist. Maybe Toronto is receptive if they're looking at a Shattenkirk or Stone or Franson option. I'd be okay with Postma being our main blueline acquisition if we can hedge our bets a little with a guy like Carrick. Same goes for Ville Pokka who seems to be maybe in that same boat a little. Could we sign Postma and trade a mid round pick or midding forward prospect for Carrick or Pokka and be satisfied with our blueline next season?

Basically I'm looking at RHS D with sustained high-end AHL PP production over several years that have failed to establish themselves as meaningful NHL players at this point. I think if we can grab a couple of these types and cross our fingers we might be okay. Who else fits the bill that I'm missing? Guys like Postma, Carrick and Pokka who put up big PP numbers in the AHL but are reaching "expendable" status in the NHL?

I wonder what's going on with the Isles. They moved Hamonic, but they still have 8 D-men that are not waiver exempt. Three of those guys will be rookies this year - Pulock, Mayfield & Pelech. They're also pretty close up to the cap with CDH & Pelech each needing new RFA deals.

Could we take on Kulemin's yucky contract ($5.25M cash, $4.1M cap) to lure Pulock, who was the lead PP D-man for Bridgeport last year?

Maybe Schenn + Rieder for Kulemin + Pulock?

Then sign another vet like Girardi and go:

OEL-Hammer
Goli-Pulock
Chych-Girardi
KConn

 

[rt]

Too rich for my blood.

 

[Jakey53]

Getting Demers for cheap would be a nice way to wrap up our offseason.

Do you call 4.5 mill cheap for Demers?

 

[Matias Maccete]

Do you call 4.5 mill cheap for Demers?

Cheap as in acquisition cost.

 

[Jakey53]

Cheap as in acquisition cost.

Got ya. I agree.

 

[mouser]

The going rate for an average 2nd pairing Dman these days is $4m+.

 

[_Del_]

The going rate for an average 2nd pairing Dman these days is $4m+.

Yeah, but who wants a steady, under 30yoa, 200lb RHD who reliably puts up points at a 30p/82 pace if you'd have to spend $4.5M? That's not cheap...

 

[Puck possession wins]

Yeah, but who wants a steady, under 30yoa, 200lb RHD who reliably puts up points at a 30p/82 pace if you'd have to spend $4.5M? That's not cheap...

RHD are at a premium in the trade market. That's worth the opportunity cost.

 

[lanky]

Were Gogo and Demers partnered together in Dallas?

 

[XX]

Were Gogo and Demers partnered together in Dallas?

Nope. But at least they were teammates, so that might help with Demers waiving.

 

[RABBIT]

Nope. But at least they were teammates, so that might help with Demers waiving.

what do you think he could be had for, honest opinion?