Confirmed Trade: [MIN/BUF] Marcus Johansson for Eric Staal

[Djp]

Staal is definitely more of an offensive, than defensive guy, though. BUF should not expect a shutdown C.

He wasn’t acquired as a shut down center but as a second offensive line center...whether that is looked at as a 2C or 3C is a debate

Option 1
Off line..Olofsson- Eichel-xxx
2 way line... Skinner-?.?- Reinhart
Off line.. Kahun+Staal-Cozens
2way line.. xxx-Lazar-Okposo

Or

Off line. Skinner-Eichel-Reinhart
Off line Olofsson-Staal-Cozens
Checking ...xxx-Larsson-Okposo
4th line ... Kahun-Lazar-xxx

 

[RWatson29]

He wasn’t acquired as a shut down center but as a second offensive line center...whether that is looked at as a 2C or 3C is a debate

Option 1
Off line..Olofsson- Eichel-xxx
2 way line... Skinner-?.?- Reinhart
Off line.. Kahun+Staal-Cozens
2way line.. xxx-Lazar-Okposo

Or

Off line. Skinner-Eichel-Reinhart
Off line Olofsson-Staal-Cozens
Checking ...xxx-Larsson-Okposo
4th line ... Kahun-Lazar-xxx

Eichel staal Cozens as the 3cs Barring any changes up the middle should be the way to go imo

 

[Team Cozens]

Eichel staal Cozens as the 3cs Barring any changes up the middle should be the way to go imo

I’d like to see Cozens play and learn from Staal. Incredible opportunity for him.

Oloffson - Eichel - Reinhart
Skinner - Staal - Cozens

 

[Djp]

Eichel staal Cozens as the 3cs Barring any changes up the middle should be the way to go imo

The point in acquiring a 2C is Cozens isn’t playing 2C in year 1.

Personally I don’t have a problem playing him at center between two experienced players like in Skinner-Cozens-Reinhart.

Staal isn’t a defensive center playing that checking line. If Cozens was a center on his own it be more of a 4th line role.

If I was going to go with something like

Olofsson Eichel xxx
Skinner Cozens Reinhart

Then I’d be focused on getting a strong checking like center.

Staal wouldplay a top 6 role moving Cozens to wing. Then the lines look like

Skinner/Olofsson Eichel Reinhart
Olofsson/Skinner Staal Cozens

Cozens learn from Staal

 

[WeDislikeEich]

Staal hopes to make an impact with the Sabres

doesn’t really sound like a guy thinking of retiring to me...