Felonious Python
Minor League Degenerate
- Aug 20, 2004
- 30,748
- 8,876
is there a need when you're a surefire lottery team?Time to start the rebuild?
is there a need when you're a surefire lottery team?Time to start the rebuild?
I'll be shocked if Joseph doesn't make the team. I still think Volkov has a shot, but I'd be less surprised if he doesn't make it. I think there's a good chance he ends up on the roster before the end of the season, but not sure about right out of camp.
I agree about Callahan. I think he can be valuable to the team, but I think he's probably more valuable off the ice than on it at this point. Let Callahan rest for about 20-30 games this season and hope he can bring it in the playoffs again.We have at least two open spots for now (Kunitz, Callahan), possibly more (Conacher, Erne). I think we'll keep Erne on the team, but I think Conacher's gonna get beat out for a spot UNLESS we decide we'd rather pressbox him than a younger forward.
Either way, I think those two for-sure spots go to Joseph and Volkov. They both look like they fit, although I think Joseph's transition will be easier because his style is so based on simple-but-effective skills/habits. Both of them look like guys who can play just about anywhere in the lineup, which is a plus, and Joseph might have been our only guy who looked consistently good on the PK.
Tough to say what happens when Callahan comes back. Both of those guys look like they can play in the NHL immediately, and you have to assume that even if they're not already more effective than Callahan, that a little bit of NHL experience will allow them to surpass him. Maybe that's the point where we send Conacher down, and keep the younger guys? It would be better for everybody involved if we gave Callahan the odd night off, at the very least.
I just doubt Cooper puts Killorn on the fourth line. The guy has 1000 lives.
Conacher and Erne are on one-way contracts.
One good thing with Dotchin gone is we can carry 14 forwards this season, so we can have two press box guys (if Erne/Conacher don't become full-time we can make room for kids). But guys like Volkov... I don't want to see them in the NHL to play on the fourth line, so only bring them up if there's a spot for them.
I just doubt Cooper puts Killorn on the fourth line. The guy has 1000 lives.
Conacher and Erne are on one-way contracts.
One good thing with Dotchin gone is we can carry 14 forwards this season, so we can have two press box guys (if Erne/Conacher don't become full-time we can make room for kids). But guys like Volkov... I don't want to see them in the NHL to play on the fourth line, so only bring them up if there's a spot for them.
These young bucks, league wide, are phenomenaly more talented than the old guarde. The few preseason games I've seen make me shudder. We fans are experiencing a tectonic shift in ability. Its like evolution in a microcosm. crazy. Aside from that, however much I live and breath the Bolts, I am feeling queasy about how they will content with this seasonal influx of young talent. Its like, Tampa started that game but now the league has caught up and ready X 2.