Laich's value for another team is questionable, if he'll continue his current play he will stay most probably.
The bad thing about him is his big contract... But he showed already he can be C/LW for bottom-6. He's leader, he's PK warrior, he doesn't even occupy someone's PP slot anymore.
I think if GMBM didn't CBO him in the summer, he probably hoped for something... Brooks showing just about now. So is there any new factor to BO him?
@Thornton... No way. We are looking at Malkin-lite in Kuz and why would we want Thornton and his big caphit? Backstrom is good enough to be solid #2C
Along with 2LW Ovechkin.
@Bura - he showed he can elevate his game too. I think there were not much glaring mistakes in few games he's played. Didn't convert, but was a good creative presence for his line. He's playing with Beagle and Brouwer and they aren't getting scored against. I'd say he's lock for top-9 next season depending on some RW flow (maybe top-RW even).
In a light of Trotz playing right wing lock maybe it's better to let all of our finesse wingers to play on the left side: Ovechkin, Johansson, Burakovsky. Just to let them be more offensive. And then slower (grindier, hehe) RWs like Ward and Wilson will play RWs with more defensive responsibilities. That's how Bura could end up on the 3rd line next season, I guess.
Sure wingers to come back: OV (LW), Mojo (LW), Bura (LWRW), Wilson (RW)...
Then there is Barber and Laich and Chimera.
@Chimera - showed he is more than 4th line energy guy. He told that and he backed it up. Props!
So Brouwer (MIA for now), Beagle, Fehr and Ward - is too much.
I remember Knuble got his last 2M contract while being very slow already. So I wouldn't think of Ward as gone just yet. He could stay if there is no some outraging $ demands on his part.
Ovechkin-Kuznetsov-Ward
Johansson-Backstrom-Burakovsky
Laich-Fehr-Wilson
Chimera-Latta-Barber
Beagle -> UFA
Brouwer -> Traded to Siberian Canada
Is there any depth beyond this roster? Brown? Galiev? Not so much, right? That's a minor problem for GMBM. And lots of time to fix it.