Xspyrit
DJ Dorion
Bryan Murray said “having rookies in your lineup makes you a better team because they improve each game and at the end of the season when it’s playoff time you will have a better team because they improved.”
basically, rookies are a good investment. That’s why it makes no sense to have Galchenyuk. He will never improve, he can only just not hurt your team, he doesn’t make you any better. he offers very little else that Balcers or Abramov cannot already do on the PP, and they’d be playing hard and with passion for an NHL job, and improving each game.
stupid strategy to sign vets who aren’t improving. Josh brown is a vet who is getting better, but players like Galchenyuk, Naemtikov - no thanks.
Which is why we didn't need Stepan, Paquette and Coburn. They don't make the team better, Stepan cost a 2nd round pick on top of it (doesn't make sense for a 3rd liner with a 6.5 cap hit). I admit the Tampa Bay trade was beneficial (getting a 2nd + saving on Gaborik/Nilsson LTIR salaries) so you could still make that trade, have Coburn (probably last NHL contract year anyway) on the taxi squad, and flip Paquette to a team WHERE he wants to play (Montreal?). Get any pick for him, have an extra 2nd from TB, don't spend one on Stepan (we already have Tierney), don't lose Balcers on waivers and go with :
Paul-Tierney-Brown
Stutzle-Brown-Dadonov
Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson
Balcers-White-Watson
Galchenyuk-Chlapik
* PTB is the match up line, probably still gets most TOI/GP at ES
** you can still sign Galchenyuk. at only 1 M$ it's not a bad thing to have a PP/skill option as a back-up
*** Manage lines 2 and 3 ice time depending on how well they play. When the Chuck Norris line get more comfortable, start giving them more responsibilities/matchups. Use the Stutzle-Brown-Dadonov line on the offense as much as possible.
**** Balcers and White get reps higher in the lineup when injuries or maintenance days. They could even get some PP reps depending how well they play but KEEP THEM PLAYING.
Some will say I am asking for the moon where in summary, I only asked for Logan Brown and Balcers over Derek Stepan and Paquette. I like more skill, passing and shooting abilities.
Does anyone thinks my top-14 would do worse than the current forward group?
Ok so Pierre hit me up (jk Pierre, not looking for a job, particularly not one that will give me grey hair)
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