UncleRisto
Not Great, Bob!
Maybe something around Connor Brown?Pretty sure every player you just mentioned was penciled into at least one Leafs fan’s projected roster this year.
Maybe something around Connor Brown?Pretty sure every player you just mentioned was penciled into at least one Leafs fan’s projected roster this year.
The Hurricanes are a difficult team to figure out.
The Hurricanes are a difficult team to figure out.
Thank God the Canes got him. Avs dodged a bullet.
I agree with all this Mark.Here's my current theory: if at least one of Graves, Rosen or MacDonald show they're worthy of a contract extension and a full-time NHL role, Zadorov gets traded sooner rather than later.
It occurred to me after reading Ryan Clark's latest article, about how the Avs built their development system. In it he writes:
Hockey sense, skill and speed are not anywhere near the first things I think of when I think of what Zadorov brings to the team. This, along with the now crowded blueline and the likelihood of Girard and Byram being ahead of him before long, plus the expansion draft, means Z's time with the team may be limited.The first [significant change Sakic made] was establishing specific criteria for how they evaluate prospects. It is about finding players who fit within the premise of possessing hockey sense, skill and speed.
There are plenty of teams who would see a lot of value in Z, and if we have other guys ready to take on his role long-term (Graves in particular could be this guy), Z's days may be numbered. Plus, if EJ is healthy and Byram makes the team, Z could potentially be traded even earlier than anyone expects.
And don't get me wrong. I really like Z and still have hopes he'll become a steady 2nd pair defenseman/penalty-killer. But it's looking more and more like his role on the team is bottom pair, and I don't think a) he'll be happy in that role long-term and b) we can afford to pay him what he's worth if that's all his role will be.
And honestly, at this point would you rather have Z, or, say, another highish-end goal-scoring forward prospect? Despite Z's unique and useful skillset, and I think long-term I'd rather have the forward prospect.
Honestly, other than 3rd string goalie, I think that's our biggest need right now. Who in our pipeline realistically projects to be a legit top 6 goal scorer? Kaut maybe? Newhook in several years maybe? Who else? I'd really like a near-NHL-ready goal scoring prospect in the system and I'd be willing to give up some defense depth to get him.
Yeah. Oh well, sucks to be saddled with the defenders that we have but what can you do, chuck 'em out there!Yeah, can you even imagine having a blueliner we could rely on this season? That would've been terrible.
In response to @MarkT 'S post in the earlier trade thread: 2019 Free Agent Boredom Part IV, quoted here:
I agree with all this Mark.
I think it's unlikely that Zadorov is in an Avs sweater beyond next summer, for the reasons you outlined. He might even be gone sooner than that, though probably not before Cole returns in December.
Long-term the Top 4 should be pretty set:
Girard --- Makar
Byram --- Johnson
Beyond that it's anyone's guess how it will shake out. What is certain though is that the 3rd pairing LHD spot is the position on the roster where we have the most depth of any position, which will obviously work against Zadorov.
LHD's:
RHD's:
- Cole - 2 years
- Zadorov - 1 year (RFA)
- Connauton - 1 year
- Barberio - 1 year
- Graves - 1 year (RFA)
- Rosén - 2 years
- MacDonald - 1 year
It'll be interesting to see how this group plays out. Whatever happens I like that Sakic has set himself up in a strong position to be able to have this season to assess his options on that 3rd pairing before committing to anyone, Zadorov included. Having a group of 3rd pairing guys with only 1-2 years remaining also lines up nicely with the development timelines of Byram/Timmins/Meloche/etc.
- Timmins - 2 years (ELC)
- Meloche - 1 year (ELC)
- Alt - 1 year
Most of Z issues may be related to maturity and that could change.@cgf I get the idea that big defenders have been thought to take a while, but Pronger broke out in his 22 year old season. He was elite by his 23. EJ was very solid his first two seasons in the league, he stumbled a bit in his 3rd and Pietrangelo had made him expendable. He had flashed and was a legit top 4D, but the questions were there. His peak was certainly his 25/26 seasons, but has fallen off since. At 24, odds are very high this is just who Z is.
Most of Z issues may be related to maturity and that could change.
Yeah, can you even imagine having a blueliner we could rely on this season? That would've been terrible.
Zadorov is a must, and a must in the long term. We need his grittiness and intimidation, it's something we sorely need.
I also think Timmins by mid season pushes EJ to 3rd pairing.
I also think you pair Girard and Makar situationally (and I mean when chasing goals), and not permanently.
Going forward, Zadorov, Byram, Makar, Timmins, Girard are the core, with an extra (Cole, EJ, Graves the most likely imo).
Honestly, we have the best defense "potentially" in the league in my opinion. Especially in a few years time (although a lot can happen, I know).
Always have been. Their Stanley Cup win will always be one of the biggest flukes in pro sports history.
Also comes down to need, surely. We'll have quite a few smallish skilled (VERY skilled ) guys.It's a hard cap and they've got choices to make. It will all come down to how much Z wants to play for, because regardless of what happens I anticipate that he will want a hefty long-term deal, and that'll be too rich for the Avs' blood. I'd really like to keep him, but there's only so many $$$ they can, or even should, commit to him.
Sampo Ranta is the epitome of hockey sense. Beaucage is the epitome of skating. Buzzwords don’t equate to their actual plan or idea. They are for the media and for PR.
Dorian hitting here today, supposed to get 90km winds and boatload of rain. Calm before the storm right now. Will keep you updated.Absolutely. I’m really trying to figure out if Dorian is going to hit us on the east coast but hurricanes are just so unpredictable.
Also comes down to need, surely. We'll have quite a few smallish skilled (VERY skilled ) guys.
If they all excel, and say Timmins is another productive guy, I'd maybe look at moving a PMD for a great winger for Mac or Kadri, and retain Zadorov.
EDIT: I think we need Zad in the team more than Girard, and I LOVE Girard
Yes, that's one way of looking at it. Or you could say the directive from Sakic is that prospects have to have at least one of the three (hockey sense, skill, speed). Since it's nearly impossible to only find guys with all three, it makes logical sense that they'd have to settle for 2/3 or even 1/3 on some guys. Now, if they draft a guy with none of the three, then you might have a point.
Also comes down to need, surely. We'll have quite a few smallish skilled (VERY skilled ) guys.
If they all excel, and say Timmins is another productive guy, I'd maybe look at moving a PMD for a great winger for Mac or Kadri, and retain Zadorov.
EDIT: I think we need Zad in the team more than Girard, and I LOVE Girard