Proposal: Building for 2021-2022

[majormajor]

If you are set on Korpi being traded, maybe expose him with a side deal worked from Seattle. He'd easily be the best goalie available.

I doubt that. There's guys like Jake Allen that have better results.

 

[Xoggz22]

First the most urgent need: Coaching

- Hire Gallant as headcoach
- Hire Jukka Jalonen as 2nd

I expect this duo would get the most out of the players. Gallant is probably well-known here and need no explanations. Jalonen has a history of success with Finnish national team and also on other surfaces. He always gets the best out of an underdog and the teams usually play much better than its parts.

Second: Centers

- Throw 8M x 5yrs at UFA Krejci and see if it sticks
- Offer Granlund 4M x 3yrs

Both are playmakers that this team lacks. Granlund has actually played 2C this year in Nashville.

Third: Stay-at-home D

- Offer Jani Hakanpää 2M x 3Yrs

Fourth:

- Offer Laine 7,5M x 2yrs or trade him for other pieces.

Fifth:

- get contract extensions done with Werenski & Jones. If that is not likely to happen - trade atleast one for C-help

No chance they would consider taking Laine to UFA with a 2 year deal. It's 1 year and try again or work something longer.

Also, no way on 5 yrs for Krejci. I'd do 2 years (he wouldn't) to allow some development but CBJ is simply not going to play the UFA market. Not for the bigger talent. It's over priced, under performs and not the missing piece this organization needs to put it over the top.

 

[EDM]

What we need to get “over the top” is not currently in the organization

 

[Jan]

What we need to get “over the top” is not currently in the organization

Sadly, your are more than right.

Not use it a over all first will currently help this team, but a 1C will and then a 1L will help this team enormously in the right direction.

 

[Jan]

Roster To do list, starting in house:

0. Assume we lose Robinson in the expansion draft.

1. Sign Seth Jones. Ideally 6-8 years 8-10 million per season. Hopefully he's a nice guy and gives us an extreme discount in the neighborhood of 8.5. Slap the C on him, and establish a new identity with the new coach.

2. Sign Patrik Laine to his QO for one year and see where it goes. Or, explore trade options if a 1C becomes available for him. Ideally you keep him but all options are on the table.

3. Pick your goalie of the future. I think it'll be Elvis. So if we go off that assumption, I don't believe Korpi will return much. I would say a 2nd round pick, since we don't have one, would do the trick. But I hold out hope he can be a sweetener in a deal for a center or top 6 forward.(Probably after expansion)

4. Let Grigorenko and Stenlund walk. Retain Matteau, Dalpe, Macinnis, and Sherwood for AHL depth. Tell Sherwood this is his last chance and the only path to an NHL career is to start throwing his body and becoming Josh Anderson (as far as physicality). Sign Texier and Peeke to 2 year extensions.

5. Keep Bayruether for depth, and one of Lehtonen/MDZ. Explore trade options if possible for Carlsson and Harrington and dump one of them, ideally Harrington but more likely Carlsson. Kukan too if you get anything decent. Hold firm on keeping Werenski/Jones/Gavrikov.

6. Get a top 6 center. Either via trade, UFA, or whatever.

7. Get a 2nd pairing defenseman. There are plenty of capable defenseman on the market.

8. Acquire bottom pairing/bottom 6 "identity" type players. At least one or two. By identity players I mean guys like Calvert who won't put up stats but can help establish the new order. There are usually plenty of guys like this in UFA. This includes the return of Nick Foligno.

Nyquist-Top 6 Center-Laine
Domi-Roslovic-Bjorkstrand
Foligno-Texier-Atkinson
Identity player/Jenner-Identity player/Jenner-Bemstrom/Foudy/Sherwood/Other identity players

Werenski-Jones
Gavrikov-Top 4 fill in
MDZ/Kukan/Carlsson/Lehtonen-Peeke

Elvis
Matiss/UFA fill in

This roster isn't spectacular but I think its a bubble team, and this is just using the method of signing guys since its hard to factor in trades.

Most of what you are writing is true, but Laine is not and has never been a true first liner.
He is a third liner, with some PP upsides and that is also where Winnipeg end using him.

The problem with Laine is his defensive play and the two top lines, will most often be match with tougher opposition. Therefore, he end up as a minus player (as seen both in Winnipeg and here), when playing one the top line.

I personally like Foligno-Texier-Atkinson as a shot down line, and I do not like Laine in the top two line (top six forward)!
None of Domi and Roslovic is good enough defensive as well, at least not yet, so Laine will not work there as well.
We need another top six right-wing in addition to Bjorkstrand, that has proven himself as a reliable top line player.

Still we have to fit Laine in to the third line or we have to trade him.
So we need to fit Laine into the third line, and that will mean that we need to make the fourth line a shot down line.

I do not thing we have the pieces for that.

So in my point of view, it is difficilt to fit Laine on this team.
1) He is not at all good enough on a first line,
2) Our second line will most likely not be strong enough defensively to cover up for Laine.
3) We need a shot down third line, and Foligno-Texier-Atkinson seams fair...
4) Laine is not a fourth liner. Which mean that you need to put Laine on the third line.

 

[Byrral]

Still we have to fit Laine in to the third line or we have to trade him.

I don't think the team can afford the luxary of having a third line PP specialist making over $7.5m per. If he isn't in their long term plans as a top 6 guy then you are right. Trade him as soon as you can even if the return isn't great.

 

[majormajor]

Most of what you are writing is true, but Laine is not and has never been a true first liner.
He is a third liner, with some PP upsides and that is also where Winnipeg end using him.

I think this is excessive. Laine has been sub-NHL for us and he needs a lot of help, but in Winnipeg at least he had a justifiable role in the top six.

For years on the Jets second line he had the great benefit of playing opposite Nik Ehlers who is one of the best transition players in the league. He did all the neutral zone work and gained offensive possession so Laine didn't have to. When that line was at it's best they had Stastny at center, and he was just a smart playmaker with a decent two-way game, nothing spectacular. Laine didn't have to do much besides shoot the puck on that line, but when you're a 15% shooter that's fine, assuming the overall unit gets you in position to shoot 4 or 5 times per game.

I would suggest Krejci as an excellent option for that type of center role. Though really I'm not sure if Roslovic and Texier are incapable of growing into it. The more key part is probably that we need the transition work to be done by Laine's linemates. Either a great transition player or two very good ones, because Laine shouldn't touch the puck there.

The biggest reason his lines haven't scored much and get stuck in their own end so often is the turnovers off of Laine's stick. The simple solution is to change his role back to being just a finisher. I do think he can provide a lot of value in that role if it's handled right.

 

[VT]

I think this is excessive. Laine has been sub-NHL for us and he needs a lot of help, but in Winnipeg at least he had a justifiable role in the top six.

For years on the Jets second line he had the great benefit of playing opposite Nik Ehlers who is one of the best transition players in the league. He did all the neutral zone work and gained offensive possession so Laine didn't have to. When that line was at it's best they had Stastny at center, and he was just a smart playmaker with a decent two-way game, nothing spectacular. Laine didn't have to do much besides shoot the puck on that line, but when you're a 15% shooter that's fine, assuming the overall unit gets you in position to shoot 4 or 5 times per game.

I would suggest Krejci as an excellent option for that type of center role. Though really I'm not sure if Roslovic and Texier are incapable of growing into it. The more key part is probably that we need the transition work to be done by Laine's linemates. Either a great transition player or two very good ones, because Laine shouldn't touch the puck there.

The biggest reason his lines haven't scored much and get stuck in their own end so often is the turnovers off of Laine's stick. The simple solution is to change his role back to being just a finisher. I do think he can provide a lot of value in that role if it's handled right.

Laine can do it when he wants. So I don`t see any reason to alleviate it for him. Find a special players for him? Forget. Let him work on himself. If he has such a big salary he doesn`t do it not only for himself but for his partners too. This isn`t a kindergarten but NHL.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Laine can do it when he wants. So I don`t see any reason to alleviate it. Find a special players for him? Forget. Work on himself. If he has so a big salary he doesn`t do it not only for himself but for his partners too. This isn`t a kindergarten but NHL.

Great post!

 

[majormajor]

I've warmed to the idea of making a big bid to David Krejci, he is still a great playmaker in his mid 30s. I wonder if $6m x 3 is too rich?

I'm still very hopeful the Jackets can sign Danault, but in the weeks since Gallagher went down Danault hasn't produced much of anything. I had hoped we would be able to put together a strong possession line with him and wingers like Nyquist, Atkinson, maybe Jenner. But they aren't Gallagher-caliber, only Bjorkstrand is (they are two of the top 5v5 scorers). I'd still be confident that we could have a strong 5v5 top line with Danault and Bjorkstrand, but I don't see Danault being a sure bet to produce with second liners. So I'm hoping we can get him for a $5m x 6 type of bid. That's the Pageau comp.

A couple other possible center acquisitions come to mind: I've spoken a lot about Andrew Copp, and I wonder if he could handle a top six center role. He's a gritty player that's good at everything. J.T. Miller has played center sporadically and I wonder if he could handle a regular #1C job. He has the offensive skill for it and he's a nasty S.O.B., and good on the draw. Reminds me of a more skilled Dubinsky. He seems awfully unhappy with Vancouver at the moment so I wonder if he could be available. Keep in mind I'm not watching these guys every night, just some thoughts.

 

[VT]

I've warmed to the idea of making a big bid to David Krejci, he is still a great playmaker in his mid 30s. I wonder if $6m x 3 is too rich?

I'm still very hopeful the Jackets can sign Danault, but in the weeks since Gallagher went down Danault hasn't produced much of anything. I had hoped we would be able to put together a strong possession line with him and wingers like Nyquist, Atkinson, maybe Jenner. But they aren't Gallagher-caliber, only Bjorkstrand is (they are two of the top 5v5 scorers). I'd still be confident that we could have a strong 5v5 top line with Danault and Bjorkstrand, but I don't see Danault being a sure bet to produce with second liners. So I'm hoping we can get him for a $5m x 6 type of bid. That's the Pageau comp.

A couple other possible center acquisitions come to mind: I've spoken a lot about Andrew Copp, and I wonder if he could handle a top six center role. He's a gritty player that's good at everything. J.T. Miller has played center sporadically and I wonder if he could handle a regular #1C job. He has the offensive skill for it and he's a nasty S.O.B., and good on the draw. Reminds me of a more skilled Dubinsky. He seems awfully unhappy with Vancouver at the moment so I wonder if he could be available. Keep in mind I'm not watching these guys every night, just some thoughts.

We must realise one very important thing. UFA aren`t too interested in us. So we must rebuild the team especially from our sources.
Now some questions. Where Bemstrom and Chinakhov if they would play excelent in the camp? Can we move Foudy to the center and Texier to the wing? What with Nyquist and Atkinson? Will resign Laine or trade him and Domi too? If we would trade them where is written they wouldn`t better in the next team because this season was enough specific so we must be carefull in their evaluation? Give chance Fix-Wolanski? Etc. etc. And I write only about forwards.
UFA centers: 2021 NHL Free Agents Tracker
So IMHO. We could try to get Mikael Granlund. He can play at the wing and at the center too. He`s very good in defense and in offense too. The second, Nyquist`ll return. Because of he didn`t play in this season he`s like a new player. Young players will be only better so I don`t see any reason to move them to low lines. Even if he wouldn`t be in the roster.

 

[majormajor]

We must realise one very important thing. UFA aren`t too interested in us.

It really depends on the player. A chance to play a big role is the #1 consideration for a lot of players and I'm sure some look at our center core and think they could be the top dog.

 

[VT]

It really depends on the player. A chance to play a big role is the #1 consideration for a lot of players and I'm sure some look at our center core and think they could be the top dog.

Maybe but it`s a question do we need them. For example Danault wil probably have better offers. Simply we`ll see. It`s a pity from the 1th June I won`t have a time for ice-hockey. Probably of course.

 

[gearmex]

We must realise one very important thing. UFA aren`t too interested in us. So we must rebuild the team especially from our sources.
Now some questions. Where Bemstrom and Chinakhov if they would play excelent in the camp? Can we move Foudy to the center and Texier to the wing? What with Nyquist and Atkinson? Will resign Laine or trade him and Domi too? If we would trade them where is written they wouldn`t better in the next team because this season was enough specific so we must be carefull in their evaluation? Give chance Fix-Wolanski? Etc. etc. And I write only about forwards.
UFA centers: 2021 NHL Free Agents Tracker
So IMHO. We could try to get Mikael Granlund. He can play at the wing and at the center too. He`s very good in defense and in offense too. The second, Nyquist`ll return. Because of he didn`t play in this season he`s like a new player. Young players will be only better so I don`t see any reason to move them to low lines. Even if he wouldn`t be in the roster.

Granlund is great but easy to get injured

 

[Jan]

Laine can do it when he wants. So I don`t see any reason to alleviate it for him. Find a special players for him? Forget. Let him work on himself. If he has such a big salary he doesn`t do it not only for himself but for his partners too. This isn`t a kindergarten but NHL.

Then it is just very sad, that we have a player, that do not want to in most games.
Very sad...
What ever it is lark of talent or effort don't really matter, does it?

Anyway you are for sure right in the rest.

 

[Jan]

I think this is excessive. Laine has been sub-NHL for us and he needs a lot of help, but in Winnipeg at least he had a justifiable role in the top six.

For years on the Jets second line he had the great benefit of playing opposite Nik Ehlers who is one of the best transition players in the league. He did all the neutral zone work and gained offensive possession so Laine didn't have to. When that line was at it's best they had Stastny at center, and he was just a smart playmaker with a decent two-way game, nothing spectacular. Laine didn't have to do much besides shoot the puck on that line, but when you're a 15% shooter that's fine, assuming the overall unit gets you in position to shoot 4 or 5 times per game.

I would suggest Krejci as an excellent option for that type of center role. Though really I'm not sure if Roslovic and Texier are incapable of growing into it. The more key part is probably that we need the transition work to be done by Laine's linemates. Either a great transition player or two very good ones, because Laine shouldn't touch the puck there.

The biggest reason his lines haven't scored much and get stuck in their own end so often is the turnovers off of Laine's stick. The simple solution is to change his role back to being just a finisher. I do think he can provide a lot of value in that role if it's handled right.

Yes, if we have the team for it. Do we?
If Ehlers and Stastny is not good enough for Laine, that he want to stay, who do we have?

 

[koteka]

I’d rather suck and not sign a center than give a bad contract in desperation. Let’s be in contention for guys like Shane Wright, Matthew Savoie, Brad Lambert, and Nathan Gaucher in 2022. We need a center - next year is a draft for centers. This year is a draft for defensemen (and a couple of goalies). If a team offers a 1st next year for one of our laters firsts this year because someone they like is available, I am willing to make a deal for ammo to move up next year if we need it.

I see the first 2 rounds of the next 2 drafts as:

2021
1 - top level D
1 (Toronto) best forward
1 (TB) - best player

2022
1 - top level center
2 - best player

I want to have 3 forwards (a top c and another c and a solid wing) and 2 D (at least one RD) out of those picks.

 

[VT]

Then it is just very sad, that we have a player, that do not want to in most games.
Very sad...
What ever it is lark of talent or effort don't really matter, does it?

Anyway you are for sure right in the rest.

IMHO the problem isn't in it that he wouldn't want but that he's still a big child.

10% is talent, 90% work IMHO.

 

[majormajor]

Yes, if we have the team for it. Do we?
If Ehlers and Stastny is not good enough for Laine, that he want to stay, who do we have?

Laine never said anything like that. He wanted to play a bigger role, and is perhaps now realizing that he isn't ready for it. He had no problem with Ehlers or Stastny. Ehlers in particular is one if his best friends. At this point I'm sure he understands more of his limits and he'd love it if we could surround him with players who would simplify his role.

 

[Jan]

IMHO the problem isn't in it that he wouldn't want but that he's still a big child.

10% is talent, 90% work IMHO.

You are right, he doesn't seam mature for his age and size.

Anyway I must say, it is probably wrong to be down on him for lark of talent.
It is more lack of some skills. He is very specialized player and and that is both his strength and his weakness, as a player.

My dad always told me prove your worth and ask what you deserves.
As a one dimensional player, that you team has to cover up for, make all the work for. What is your value?

 

[majormajor]

I’d rather suck and not sign a center than give a bad contract in desperation. Let’s be in contention for guys like Shane Wright, Matthew Savoie, Brad Lambert, and Nathan Gaucher in 2022. We need a center - next year is a draft for centers. This year is a draft for defensemen (and a couple of goalies). If a team offers a 1st next year for one of our laters firsts this year because someone they like is available, I am willing to make a deal for ammo to move up next year if we need it.

I see the first 2 rounds of the next 2 drafts as:

2021
1 - top level D
1 (Toronto) best forward
1 (TB) - best player

2022
1 - top level center
2 - best player

I want to have 3 forwards (a top c and another c and a solid wing) and 2 D (at least one RD) out of those picks.

It would certainly be better to win the lottery in either of those years, but I don't like our chances of getting good odds for that, center or no center. Some of our guys are bound to have bounce back years. Heck, if they just score at their career averages we'll be too good to get high picks. We'd have to sell off our best players to get bad enough. Maybe that's what you had in mind.

 

[Jan]

I’d rather suck and not sign a center than give a bad contract in desperation. Let’s be in contention for guys like Shane Wright, Matthew Savoie, Brad Lambert, and Nathan Gaucher in 2022. We need a center - next year is a draft for centers. This year is a draft for defensemen (and a couple of goalies). If a team offers a 1st next year for one of our laters firsts this year because someone they like is available, I am willing to make a deal for ammo to move up next year if we need it.

I see the first 2 rounds of the next 2 drafts as:

2021
1 - top level D
1 (Toronto) best forward
1 (TB) - best player

2022
1 - top level center
2 - best player

I want to have 3 forwards (a top c and another c and a solid wing) and 2 D (at least one RD) out of those picks.

Personally I do not like to depend on winning any kind of lottery, even when the odds are good.
Next season we may suck or we may bounce back.
What if we bounce back and win a round in the playoff, then all your plan for 2022 draft sucks.

In my point of view, the entire prospect pole in Columbus is very bad one center and the team is desperate for a 1C.
This year you, like every year, you will have to draft best player for the team.
Top three, you can draft for now! (That mean center)
The rest will have to be for the future, so that is best player available at the time.

What we need most next season, really depend on the resigning or not of Zack W and Seth Jones, at least in my point of view.

 

[VT]

You are right, he doesn't seam mature for his age and size.

Anyway I must say, it is probably wrong to be down on him for lark of talent.
It is more lack of some skills. He is very specialized player and and that is both his strength and his weakness, as a player.

My dad always told me prove your worth and ask what you deserves.
As a one dimensional player, that you team has to cover up for, make all the work for. What is your value?

I think he has enough skills. But if if in one game you can play great under hard forchecking and in the second terrible on the free ice... . It doesn't do low IQ, skills but something another... simply he needs two Torts.

 

[koteka]

It would certainly be better to win the lottery in either of those years, but I don't like our chances of getting good odds for that, center or no center. Some of our guys are bound to have bounce back years. Heck, if they just score at their career averages we'll be too good to get high picks. We'd have to sell off our best players to get bad enough. Maybe that's what you had in mind.

I don’t think we have to win the lottery to get a center next year. Who will be the worst team next year? Anaheim? Buffalo? New Jersey, Detroit, and Ottawa should start improving - they won’t make the playoffs, but they should improve after years off high picks. Los Angeles and San Jose both have some talent. They won’t be the worst. Vancouver had a bad year, and I think they are more likely to bounce back than the Jackets. I could see Calgary falling apart and trading guys at the deadline next year and tanking. I think we could be a bottom 3 or 4 team very easily. And if Buffalo rebounds, we might be the 2nd worst team and guaranteed a top 4 pick.


Metro next year:

Carolina - might lose Hamilton, but they are tough and deep
Islanders - they’ll make the playoffs
Washington - at some point they will suck, but they are still playoff caliber now
Pittsburgh - see Washington
Philadelphia - better than the CBJ
Rangers - on the upswing
NJ - bad but improving

 

[VT]

if only from our sources

Nyquist /32/--Domi /26/--Bjorkstrand /26/
Laine /23/--Roslovic /24/--Bemstrom /22/
Foudy /21/-- Texier /22/--Atkinson /32/
Robinson /26/--Jenner /28/--Chinakhov /20/

Werenski /24/, Jones /27/
Gavrikov /26/, Lehtonen /27/
Carlsson /24/, Peeke /23/

Merzlikins /27/
xxx /xx/ (many possibilities)

IMHO not bad. We could look at young players and than decided about their destiny. We want to rebuild our roster and not take everybody what stays bad. Chinakhov needs to get experiences first.

Btw do you notice we're playing offensive hockey now? But Torts can't scores. They must do it players.