Wayne Simmonds
Michael Ferland
Miles Wood
Jujhar Khaira (4th line role)
Nick Ritchie
Lawson Crouse (4th line role)
Just a few that could potentially be available.
Like a few on the list, not one bit interested in Simmonds, 2-3 years ago perhaps
Wood plays with grit, hardly a guy who`ll settle the score at times many here think the B`s need to, think a few years ago had a half dozen scraps or so but rarely does now but I do like his motor
Khaira is a guy who can actually play, not so sure the Oilers won`t look to keep him over Looch/Kassian, neither whom I`m interested in, Kassian`s game is just horrendous now and Looch can`t keep up any more, I get far too many Oiler games out here in BC, although, PC in charge there, ya never know
Not sure why Ritchie doesn`t intrigue me as a few others on your list, take Wood over him
Crouse is a guy who I actually think has the hands to be a guy who could survive on the 3rd line, plays with grit
Now, insert any of those players you listed, I still don`t see an opponent being worried about or hesitating to take "liberties" but that said, I`ve long been a fan who has felt that it matters not who you have on the ice, there will always be opponents who have players who`ll take liberties.
Clear evidence is the Cup winning B`s team and the team that preceded it, loaded with 'got your back" kind of players, sat on my couch and watched Savvy`s career end with no response and more than a few others who had liberties taken with them
The game has changed, I love scraps, love hard hitting hockey, problem is, the players who play the style of the list you provided ,which I appreciate as most just post without providing a guy they think could be a realistic "get", are few and far between and one`s most teams would want a small ransom for.
I dunno, I look at a team like the Bolts, hardly one who I would say are intimidating in the physicality department, they have a few guys who play with an edge but no bruiser, the Knights, Reaves there but is he a guy who opponents stop before they act knowing he`s on the ice? I don`t see it
That said, I`d welcome a body who can play, bring some toughness when called for but again, what`s the price tag? If I were to assess what the B`s need most, it`s a 3rd line C and possibly a top 6 winger but if PC (Cehlarik) continues to show he` s ready, perhaps only the 3rd C is the focus
I don`t like having JFK as my 3 C come playoff time, don`t think he`s ready yet to play with the urgency and grit needed that time of year. Like the strides he`s made but....
