Langway
In den Wolken
- Jul 7, 2006
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- 9,250
All* may not include Burakovsky, Orpik or Hagelin. That doesn't work too seamlessly either. Nothing does, initially anyway.Releasing Connolly allows to keep all others this summer. Take a deep breath.
It's probably more like do they trade Niskanen or perhaps Orlov in order to retain Connolly and maybe Orpik. What's the most valuable configuration for next season and beyond? It depends in part on the returns they can get, which likely have to revolve around cheap NHL-ready third-line wingers. While Niskanen still handles tough minutes alright and isn't quite in Alzner territory yet, there's a more legit and ready alternative to him (Jensen) than there is for anyone else. It isn't an equal replacement, and may never be physically, but they clearly liked his skill set and PK ability when acquiring him. That gets them maybe two-thirds to where Niskanen takes them, perhaps more, and that's probably more than can be said of Barber(?)/Connolly, Siegenthaler/Orlov or Samsonov/Holtby. Siegenthaler is probably next in some respects in his ability to play a passable 2LD so maybe it comes down to which of 2/9 carries the best trade value.
Connolly's demands also will be a factor but even if they lose him I think they're bound to need to sign someone like a Donskoi at least to offset his loss, in which case the cap will still need some clearing. Subtract Connolly & Burakovsky next season and I'm not sure they'd have the discipline to play more of a grind it out type game, particularly without some of their more key PKers as well. A regular season of the stars carrying the team would be hard to altogether rely upon and also hard to gear toward the sort of quality team play they'll need to once again be strong contenders.