Honestly, I think the type of player you're looking for is what the club already has in Forsberg, but he doesn't get the leeway to play that style because he's so young and Trotz has to "educate" him in the "Predator Way," because that's far more important than using a player's strengths to help you win hockey games.
For giggles, I keep a pace table on our players and the players in Milwaukee (because it's really not that difficult and a good way to kill a half-hour in the middle of the day). This is what our players' points per game rates look like when translated to goals and points over 82 games:
Player|Goals|Assists|Points
S. Weber^|20|35|55
D. Legwand|12|41|53
C. Smith|26|26|52
M. Fisher|24|24|48
P. Hornqvist|17|29|46
C. Wilson|12|26|38
F. Forsberg|7|27|34
M. Cullen*|9|24|33
R. Josi^|9|24|33
S. Jones^|7|24|31
N. Spaling|13|17|30
G. Bourque|10|18|28
V. Stalberg*|12|16|28
R. Ellis^|4|21|25
P. Gaustad|12|9|17
E. Nystrom*|11|4|15
M. Ekholm^|3|10|13
R. Clune|6|3|9
M. Hendricks*|4|4|8
V. Bartley^|0|8|8
K. Klein^|2|4|6
^ Denotes defenseman
* Denotes 2013 signing
And the Milwaukee guys:
Player|Goals|Assists|Points
F. Forsberg|46|64|110
T. Beck|27|32|59
P. Cehlin*|23|35|58
C. Sissons|33|23|56
A. Bitetto^|22|31|53
M. Salomaki|19|34|53
A. Watson|21|30|51
B. Rodney^|5|39|44
S. Moser|15|28|43
V. Saponari|18|18|36
M. Van Guilder|14|16|30
K. Henderson|11|14|25
C. Roussel^|0|24|24
J. Piskula^|0|22|22
J. Rask|3|18|21
Z. Budish|9|15|24
M. Tousignant|5|14|19
J. Jarvinen^|3|16|19
J. Shalla|7|7|14
M. Liambas|3|10|13
S. Valentine^|0|11|11
S. Ford^|5|0|5
^ Denotes defenseman
* Cehlin has only played 7 games for Milwaukee this season, missing the remaining time with an "undisclosed injury"
Obviously, AHL numbers won't translate fully to the NHL, but Forsberg sticks out like Charlie Sheen in a church with the Admirals (and is actually on pace to lead the team in scoring despite having played 22 fewer games than Beck). We have an open spot on the NHL roster right now, and I wonder if it isn't the plan to have Forsberg back up before the Olympic break.
QUOTE]
I think they do. When an AHL player moves up to the NHL, divide the offensive numbers by 2. Add 25% for each complete season. In the third NHL season, divide the AHL numbers by 1.
Shalla was sent to Cincinnati. The Ads have been short on forwards and have not recalled him. I think his time is up in Milwaukee. Sissons won't be in Milwaukee for the opposite reason. Either he will be in Nashville for next season or playing for another NHL team, maybe MVG too. Sissons is smart and very good. Bitetto, Salomaki and Watson need one more year (Jan 2015) and they will be NHL ready,
unless Trotz stays as coach. FF needs to stay in Milwaukee and away from Trotz!