Sky04
Registered User
- Jan 8, 2009
- 29,141
- 18,247
Why do you think we'd see a downgrade in depth if we moved out a few players like Palat, Johnson or Miller? Palat had 6 ES goals last year and the same amount of ES points as Joseph, who had 13 ES goals. Put Joseph in his spot and even if Joseph doesn't make a huge jump in production it should be close to equal with the way Palat has been lately. Then you can replace Joseph in the bottom 6 with Volkov or Raddysh if they want a RH shot.
Miller wasn't even being used properly so hard to have an exact replacement because are you replacing a 4th liner or top 6 guy? We can bring up ABB who can replace Miller on the PP or Verheaghe who is versatile and can play C or Wing.
Johnson might be harder because he did score a lot of ES goals but he still didn't even crack 50 points while playing top line minutes. Gourde playing with Point again should get him back over 50 points and 25 goals. ABB would work in a top 6 but I don't see him hitting 20+ goals or 50 points as a rookie but could do a 15g 40 point guy and is small and fiesty like Johnson. We still have Stephens who would be a nice boost to the 4th line. Plus if we moved out that much money we could bring in better defenders to make the team more balanced and not so forward heavy for production or another top 6 or 9 forward.
Because these guys regardless of their playoff performance are established NHLers? I mean you just pointed out we'd be seeing a downgrade in production by all 3 replacements. That's not including the fact that you're talking about those replacements being 3/4 rookies - You might have a lineup with more jump but they'd be much more liable to mistakes, such as the one Joseph made that lead to the series winning goal.
That's not even mentioning the fact that Kucherov and Point both see major cap jumps next year, I don't really see how anyone can argue we won't be taking a hit on depth next year. This was the most talented team the Lightning have ever iced.