MarkT
Heretic
- Nov 11, 2017
- 3,997
- 4,513
I made this post earlier in the main Rumors thread, but I spent a lot of time on it and that thread goes so fast that it disappears quickly. I figure it's a good post to base a discussion on. You don't have to agree with my reasoning, but it's a pretty good list of the players available who might be a good fit for us. If the mods don't like me making a thread for this post then just delete it - that's fine.
Anyway...
I made this same post just after the Dallas series, but I wanted to make an updated version:
Here's how I see our team next season ideally:
[TBODY]
[/TBODY]I should note, the reason I have Compher on the 4th line and Jost and O'Connor as extras is because I expect a) there to be plenty of injuries this upcoming season and b) I wouldn't be surprised to see one of Donskoi, Compher or Jost traded. The point is all of them are behind (ideally) the two guys we bring in.
I see Bowers and Kaut as midseason call-ups for when injuries hit. Yes, they might both be ready to play in the NHL, but they're both waivers-exempt. I put O'Connor on the roster because he's an ideal 4th liner, but I wouldn't be shocked to see him start in the AHL too.
[TBODY]
[/TBODY]Yes, I think the smart move is to "block" both kids. Force them to outplay a veteran to make the team. Timmins, after his injury in the playoffs, really worries me, and Byram needs to really show he belongs before I hand him a roster spot.
[TBODY]
[/TBODY]Next I’ll go through each of the needs I identified as xxx above.
TEAM NEEDS
3rd line C
Our current options here are Compher, Jost and Bellemare, and none are good enough to fill that role, especially if Kadri or MacKinnon go down with an injury. What we need here is someone who can anchor a shutdown line and also step up to 2C when needed. I’m hoping that Newhook can fill this role soon, but not next season, and we can’t afford to wait for him.
7th defenseman
I’d basically be looking for an upgrade or at least a replacement for Barberio here. This may end up just being Connauton or even Cole though.
3rd string Goalie
I was convinced Sakic had learned his lesson when we were forced to start the Hamburglar in the playoffs. He signed Francouz and for one glorious season we had great goaltending depth. Then this season comes along and he doesn’t address this position at all, unless he genuinely thought Adam Werner was ready to play in the NHL. It seemed like they realized their mistake too late and made a move for Bibeau, only for him to get hurt. They then had to rely on a deadline deal to get Hutch, and he’s really not very good. So what I want is to have this position filled from the start of the season, and not rely on Werner or Miska to be the guy that gets called up when injuries happen (at least not right away).
___________________________________________________________________________
Okay, so now that the justifications are out of the way, let’s look at our options (ages as of Jan 1 2021):
3rd line C
1. Phillip Danault (27, MTL, 3.083m x 1 year)
He’s ideal except for two things. First, I doubt Montreal would move him unless we offered a lot. Second, he probably won’t re-sign with us unless he’s going to be in our top 6. He’s on record not wanting to be a 3rd line center and who can blame him? He’s awesome.
2. Anthony Cirelli (23, TBL, RFA)
There’s no way Tampa trades him, so we’re talking offer sheets here. This is totally a fantasy scenario, but I think he’s going to be a great player and I’d give up a lot for him.
3. Erik Haula (29, FLA, UFA)
The first UFA on this list, he could be productive at 3C but isn’t really suited to that shutdown role. Coming off a rough season so might not be too overpriced.
4. Andrew Copp (26, WPG, 2.28m x 1 year to RFA)
Another guy I doubt is available, but we have a Nikita Zadorov and Ian Cole to potentially offer, and Winnipeg needs defense. He was primarily used on the wing by the Jets, but he actually seemed to play his best hockey at center. He could be a long-term 3C for us if we got him.
5. Jared McCann (24, PIT, 2.94m x 2)
I keep hearing McCann is available, but the issue is if he were really a good 3C he wouldn't be available. Probably belongs on the first list, to be honest. Could maybe split the center duties with Compher.
6. Casey Cizikas (29, NYI, 3.35m x 1 year)
I honestly see no reason he’d even be available, but if the Islanders feel the need to shed salary, then 3.35m is a lot to pay for a 4th line center. But I personally feel he’s wasted in that role and would be a great shutdown 3C for us.
7. Tyler Johnson (30, TBL, 5m x 4)
Tampa is getting desperate to get rid of him, so he's becoming more enticing to me. Tampa would need to retain salary though.
8. Derek Stepan (30, ARI, 6.5m x 1 year)
Basically, if we want to go the Bonino or Stastny route and we strike out on the deals, he’s the fallback option. Definitely not a full-time top 6 center any more, but would be fine in this role for one year. Could probably be had for very cheap or even free given how Arizona seems to want to shed salary.
11. Carl Soderberg (35, ARI, UFA)
Hey, if all else fails, why not bring big ol' Carl back for another go? He played well in Arizona and could man that 3C position for us for a year in a pinch.
12. Yanni Gourde (29, TBL, 5.166m x 5)
His contract and NTC scare me even more than Johnson's. If Tampa's willing to retain on him though I'd take him in a heartbeat.
13. Jordan Weal (28, MTL, 1.4m x 1 year)
This one is a stretch, but that’s why he’s near the bottom of the list. The big advantage here is he’d be cheap to both acquire and pay. The disadvantage is he may not actually be any better than Bellemare, Compher or Jost as the 3C.
Other options I don't think we should target: Alexander Kerfoot, Alex Steen, Alex Galchenyuk, Derick Brassard, Brandon Sutter
7th Defenseman
1. Slater Koekkoek (26, CHI, UFA)
I was very surprised when they didn't qualify him because he put up some amazing possession numbers this year in a limited role. I think he could be a really solid addition for us, especially if we move on from Cole and/or Zadorov
2. Jan Rutta (30, TBL, UFA)
Just had a good run in the playoffs and could be a good option for us as a solid #6.
3. Roland McKeown (24, CAR, RFA)
From @Richard88: He's a 24 year old RHS Dman who was a big piece of the AHL's best PK this season. He's stuck in Carolina's depth chart and shouldn't cost too much to acquire (maybe a late round pick or prospect swap) or resign ($700k 1 way deal probably gets it done).
3rd String Goalie
1. Anthony Stolarz (26, ANA, 750k x 1 year – AHL SV% .922)
If Ryan Miller comes back for one more year, Anaheim might be willing to move him.
2. Michael Hutchinson (30, COL – Average AHL SV% since 2019 .913)
He'd be better the nothing.
____________________________________________________
How to make this all work
We can make the cap space
Anyway...
I made this same post just after the Dallas series, but I wanted to make an updated version:
Here's how I see our team next season ideally:
Landeskog | MacKinnon | Rantanen |
Saad | Kadri | Burakovsky |
Nichushkin | xxx | Donskoi |
Calvert | Bellemare | Compher |
Jost | O’Connor | |
Bowers | Kaut |
I see Bowers and Kaut as midseason call-ups for when injuries hit. Yes, they might both be ready to play in the NHL, but they're both waivers-exempt. I put O'Connor on the roster because he's an ideal 4th liner, but I wouldn't be shocked to see him start in the AHL too.
Toews | Makar |
Girard | Johnson |
Graves | Cole |
xxx | |
Byram | Timmins |
Grubauer |
Francouz |
xxx/Werner/Miska |
TEAM NEEDS
3rd line C
Our current options here are Compher, Jost and Bellemare, and none are good enough to fill that role, especially if Kadri or MacKinnon go down with an injury. What we need here is someone who can anchor a shutdown line and also step up to 2C when needed. I’m hoping that Newhook can fill this role soon, but not next season, and we can’t afford to wait for him.
7th defenseman
I’d basically be looking for an upgrade or at least a replacement for Barberio here. This may end up just being Connauton or even Cole though.
3rd string Goalie
I was convinced Sakic had learned his lesson when we were forced to start the Hamburglar in the playoffs. He signed Francouz and for one glorious season we had great goaltending depth. Then this season comes along and he doesn’t address this position at all, unless he genuinely thought Adam Werner was ready to play in the NHL. It seemed like they realized their mistake too late and made a move for Bibeau, only for him to get hurt. They then had to rely on a deadline deal to get Hutch, and he’s really not very good. So what I want is to have this position filled from the start of the season, and not rely on Werner or Miska to be the guy that gets called up when injuries happen (at least not right away).
___________________________________________________________________________
Okay, so now that the justifications are out of the way, let’s look at our options (ages as of Jan 1 2021):
3rd line C
1. Phillip Danault (27, MTL, 3.083m x 1 year)
He’s ideal except for two things. First, I doubt Montreal would move him unless we offered a lot. Second, he probably won’t re-sign with us unless he’s going to be in our top 6. He’s on record not wanting to be a 3rd line center and who can blame him? He’s awesome.
2. Anthony Cirelli (23, TBL, RFA)
There’s no way Tampa trades him, so we’re talking offer sheets here. This is totally a fantasy scenario, but I think he’s going to be a great player and I’d give up a lot for him.
3. Erik Haula (29, FLA, UFA)
The first UFA on this list, he could be productive at 3C but isn’t really suited to that shutdown role. Coming off a rough season so might not be too overpriced.
4. Andrew Copp (26, WPG, 2.28m x 1 year to RFA)
Another guy I doubt is available, but we have a Nikita Zadorov and Ian Cole to potentially offer, and Winnipeg needs defense. He was primarily used on the wing by the Jets, but he actually seemed to play his best hockey at center. He could be a long-term 3C for us if we got him.
5. Jared McCann (24, PIT, 2.94m x 2)
I keep hearing McCann is available, but the issue is if he were really a good 3C he wouldn't be available. Probably belongs on the first list, to be honest. Could maybe split the center duties with Compher.
6. Casey Cizikas (29, NYI, 3.35m x 1 year)
I honestly see no reason he’d even be available, but if the Islanders feel the need to shed salary, then 3.35m is a lot to pay for a 4th line center. But I personally feel he’s wasted in that role and would be a great shutdown 3C for us.
7. Tyler Johnson (30, TBL, 5m x 4)
Tampa is getting desperate to get rid of him, so he's becoming more enticing to me. Tampa would need to retain salary though.
8. Derek Stepan (30, ARI, 6.5m x 1 year)
Basically, if we want to go the Bonino or Stastny route and we strike out on the deals, he’s the fallback option. Definitely not a full-time top 6 center any more, but would be fine in this role for one year. Could probably be had for very cheap or even free given how Arizona seems to want to shed salary.
11. Carl Soderberg (35, ARI, UFA)
Hey, if all else fails, why not bring big ol' Carl back for another go? He played well in Arizona and could man that 3C position for us for a year in a pinch.
12. Yanni Gourde (29, TBL, 5.166m x 5)
His contract and NTC scare me even more than Johnson's. If Tampa's willing to retain on him though I'd take him in a heartbeat.
13. Jordan Weal (28, MTL, 1.4m x 1 year)
This one is a stretch, but that’s why he’s near the bottom of the list. The big advantage here is he’d be cheap to both acquire and pay. The disadvantage is he may not actually be any better than Bellemare, Compher or Jost as the 3C.
Other options I don't think we should target: Alexander Kerfoot, Alex Steen, Alex Galchenyuk, Derick Brassard, Brandon Sutter
7th Defenseman
1. Slater Koekkoek (26, CHI, UFA)
I was very surprised when they didn't qualify him because he put up some amazing possession numbers this year in a limited role. I think he could be a really solid addition for us, especially if we move on from Cole and/or Zadorov
2. Jan Rutta (30, TBL, UFA)
Just had a good run in the playoffs and could be a good option for us as a solid #6.
3. Roland McKeown (24, CAR, RFA)
From @Richard88: He's a 24 year old RHS Dman who was a big piece of the AHL's best PK this season. He's stuck in Carolina's depth chart and shouldn't cost too much to acquire (maybe a late round pick or prospect swap) or resign ($700k 1 way deal probably gets it done).
3rd String Goalie
1. Anthony Stolarz (26, ANA, 750k x 1 year – AHL SV% .922)
If Ryan Miller comes back for one more year, Anaheim might be willing to move him.
2. Michael Hutchinson (30, COL – Average AHL SV% since 2019 .913)
He'd be better the nothing.
____________________________________________________
How to make this all work
We can make the cap space
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