If we get can get RNH by trading Severson+ (excluding #11), I'd be stoked.
I've warmed up to letting JQ go.
I'd like to see what JQ could do first, TBQH. We haven't really had much of a look at him.
Boucher - JQ - Blandisi might be entertaining.
We could even expand on that for a bit...
Camm - Henrique - Palms
Boucher - Zajac - DSP
Elias - Zacha - Blandisi
Kalinin - JQ/JJ - Farnham
With some adds in FA, that could be better...
Camm - Henrique - Palms/XXXX
Boucher - Zajac - Palms/XXXX
Elias - Zacha - DSP
Kalinin -JJ/JQ - Blandisi
Farnham
While there's no bonafide 1C there, I think the center depth is better than we think:
1) Henrique can score, just needs to iron out the efficency and get better at FOs
2) Zajac is very defensively sound and is better suited to the 2C role
At this point, I think Zajac/Rico are rather interchangable. Not in terms of similarity, but role. Do we need some firepower on the 1 line tonight? Rico. Need better defensive coverage and a decent FO and Board presence? Zajac. The only knock I have with Rico is he sometimes makes bonehead plays, and Zajac is way too conservative.
3) Zacha had some flashes with Patty and DSP, and is more of a driver on that line than a passenger getting dividends. If Patty doesn't come back, we find someone. I put Zacha as 3rd C as we need to shelter him a bit, but Elias and DSP have the experience to help out in that respect. Most players would probably pay more attention to Patty than Zacha.
4) JQ is still somewhat unknown, and AFAIR from last few years, JJ isn't a loose cannon (a la Gio/Bernier/whatever scrub was there)
While Farnham is relatively expendable, his energy would be more useful than bringing back Gio/Tootoo/Ruutu/Tlusty, so I put him in as our 13th. He chips in some points, plays a gritty fast game and is also surprisingly responsible. Had some rough patches last season, but who didn't?
I know some aren't big on JJ, but I noticed that the PP runs much better with him on it than off... he may not put up points, but he does drive the PP quite well. Plus, he's our SO expert (sadly enough
)
Defense... fairly obvious.
Greene - Severson
XXXX - Larsson
Moore - Schlemmer (if he resigns, he indicated he wanted to)
Merrill
I think we need to split up G/L. Give Severson someone to rely on and I think he'd play a bit better, and Greene can cover for him.
Giving Larsson a new playmate may make our defense slightly weaker, but would spread the good stuff around.
Moore and Schlemmer would work as a 5/6 combo. Schlemmer is craft enough to cover for Moore, and I think Moore will be better this coming season; he knows he won't move AGAIN and may be more comfy.
Merrill needs to earn is spot a bit harder.
(Note: I suck at putting D on the proper side)
Or I suck at making lines.