Ack, not NJ, please. I was thinking a better model to pattern the Avs D after was Vancouver during their Cup run. No surefire #1 guy but enough really good ones to make a solid blueline corps.
Fair enough, but to all the people wanting to trade Stastny... All the teams who have won the cup have been extremely deep down the middle at the time recently.
LA - Kopitar, Richards, Stoll (Carter but he didn't play much center)
BOS - Bergeron, Krejci, Marchand, Kelly, Peveley and the list goes on...
CHI - Toews, Sharp, Kane, Madden, Bolland, Bickell
Last year NJ had Zajac, Henrique, Carter, and Zubrus and they lost in the finals.
Our centers depth is really important to keep now that we have the chance.
My guess is that nobody else on the UFA market brings his skills to the table. I see no chance at Striet, he will go to a cup contender for a few years. Smid is the best option on the free agent market if you can keep his salary below $4-4.5m.
If we make it into the playoffs this year, we will be looked at as the next up and coming team in the next 2-3 years. Much like Chicago was. We'll be attractive enough... That's if we can get healthy and show some progression.