Rumor: AVS Proposals/Rumors/Free Agents & Roster Moves (related topics)

[agentblack]

I'd be very pleased with him, Klein or Polak. Paired with a Rintintin call up that would set us up nicely for the stretch run, even without a trade for another top-9er that let us relegate both of the retirment-home-duo to the 4th line/pressbox.

I dont know much about Gryba. I just remember him from laying out Eller that one year. What makes him a better fit or not over Polak?

 

[henchman21]

If he's still here next year, I'd expect Iggy to start the season off on the third line with some combination of Grigorenko/Rantanen/Mitchell/Comeau, to see if he can bounceback. But after he proves that he's just done, I expect him to lose that spot to Compher and spend the rest of the year in his current role as a 4th liner and PP-specialist.

I'd even say that is a substantial if.

I'd be very pleased with him, Klein or Polak. Paired with a Rintintin call up that would set us up nicely for the stretch run, even without a trade for another top-9er that let us relegate both of the retirment-home-duo to the 4th line/pressbox.

Yep... just enough to help the team in the short-term, without handing out every pick.

I dont know much about Gryba. I just remember him from laying out Eller that one year. What makes him a better fit or not over Polak?

Really about the same. Gryba might be a touch better small space skater and is bigger. Polak is meaner. Both are ideally 5/6D.

 

[CB Joe]

This has got to be the darkest period in Toronto's history. One playoff appearance in 10 years and the next could be years away.

At least they are finally committing to a rebuild instead of a 'retool'

 

[cgf]

I don't quite know how they are going to construct this D group going forward but I think it's more realistic to assume someone is going to remain in the role they've been in the entire season vs. someone else doing it. They probably do intend on keeping Holden on the bottom pair but that depends on how Beauch holds up, how both the kids develop and other things like Barrie's contract, EJ staying healthy. Plus that's bottom pair and not straight off the lineup. I just have a hard time seeing through their eyes 6 guys on the roster that are better AND they trust more than the guy who they trust more than EJ to handle critical defensive situations right now. If that happens and our D is that great then wonderful but I don't foresee that in the next 2 years anyway. Hell, I can see Holden with EJ when/if Beauch breaks down until they are ready to put Zadorov or Bigras up there.

The D will certainly be very interesting with questions about Holden being capable of holding up in a mid-pairing role, about when Beauchemin's play will fall off, and about when Zadorov is going to be ready to play in the NHL full time/in the top 4 full time. Thankfully I have no questions about Bigras; he's ready to play 17-18 minutes a night, and by the time we'd yank Beauch or Holden from the top 4 he'll be ready for that responsibility as well; but not everyone will share that confidence in him.

Until we have clearer ideas of what the answers to those will be, it's very hard to predict how our D will shape up. i.e. if Beauch falls off a cliff to finish this season but Holden holds up, or vice versa, then we'd be looking at Bigras playing with Tyson or EJ at some point next season, while the faller had to fight for PT on the third pairing with Zadorov. If Beauch Hejda's this year and Holden turns back into a pumpkin; then things get really iffy, cause even though I think both Zads and Bigras will be ready to play top 4 minutes at some point next season, having to start the season like that could be very rough...which is part of why I want to maximize Bigras' development this season with a partner that lets him get those ~17minutes every game.

 

[RockLobster]

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